Democrats- Strengths and Weaknesses

Picture from Zimbio

Although I am a Democrat, I can see some serious flaws in my party. For one thing, this recession has hit blue states particularly hard. The lack of decrease in social spending has proven almost deadly for state budgets. Problems are not solved by throwing money at them. Another flaw with the party is evident in a recent pole that showed that only 29% of people believed that the democratic party was generally friendly toward religion. That was down from 40% that believed it was so a year ago. Democrats continually preach acceptance for all, but seem to rarely accept anyone's beliefs that are different from their own. That said, I believe there are many valuable beliefs and practices that the democratic party posses and put into action. We have never before had such a charismatic president, in my opinion, who is an amazing public speaker (a quality our last president was most regrettably lacking). The Democratic party has also become generally known as being socially progressive, and is trying to drop the title of liberal, after the term was unfortunately given a negative connotation. Despite the flaws, I am very happy be in a country controlled by the Democratic party.

Republicans- Strengths and Weaknesses

picture from Tea party signs

The Republican party, like any other political party, has it's strengths and weaknesses. And even though I am part of the Democratic party, I am able to see the positives of the Republican party. For one, they have for the most part been very fiscally conservative, not including the last administration. After the recession (caused by the Bush administration), W's home state remained a model citizen, compared to California. It's economy kept growing even after the recession had hit! Never the less, I believe the Republican party has some very serious flaws. By a wide margin, of 51% to 28% the Republican party is seen as most concerned with protecting religious values. Since there is supposed to be a separation of church and state, this is most worrying to me. This has probably increased with the creation of the Tea party, a far right extremely religious movement. Not that religion is a bad thing, it just is when people become fanatical, and un-accepting of other religions and beliefs. The Republican party has also unfortunately been defined of late by the radical right, who have resorted to scare tactics to gain support in most cases. For health care, for instance, the amount of false information being distributed by the tea party and other like them is atrocious. It is unfortunate for the rest of the party, to have to be associated with these buffoons. I hope for the sake of the party, that they will pull themselves out of this hole of uneducated fanaticism, governed by fear.

Differing Opinions on Health Care Reform

picture from The New York Times

Recently, the country has gotten to watch as a quite unique drama has unfolded with the decision of president Obama to reform health care. Both parties believe that health care reform is necessary. But Republicans disapprove of the heightened government regulation, which will require all citizens to buy health care. They also believe that government spending should be cut back significantly and that health care would only increase our national debt. Democrats, while being aware of these facts, are also aware of the innumerable benefits that come with having national health care. But unfortunately, they have had to compromise, as the republicans have now become known as "the party of no". Despite the fact that Obama agreed to include many of the republican's changes to health care, they remained resolute in their rejection of the reform. If they plan to meet all of the president's changes in this manner, we have a long hard haul ahead of us.