Opus 2015-232: Headlines: The Difference Between R and D

I teach U.S. History, eighth grade edition.  Since I believe that the ability to think and weigh the opinions of others is important, I practice full disclosure.  Most of my students have never met anyone, let alone a teacher, who would admit to being a Republican.  I want to be the wake up call in their lives.

This of course often brings up the question, “What is the difference between a Republican and a Democrat?”  I try to put all of the current issues out of the way on this one and get down to basic principles.  I tell them that the root difference is that people who believe the government is the best source of progress and plenty are Democrats.  People who believe that individuals should make their own decisions and be responsible for their own prosperity are Republicans.

This difference is being broadcast all the time, but people don’t see it.  I saw it in a recent article I read in The Washington Times National Weekly, July 20, 2015, page 25.  I could not get a workable link so you will have to trust me.  The article, titled “Uber-rated?  Clinton, Republicans spar over ‘gig economy’”, dealt with comments that Hillary Clinton made in regard to people who are working as independent contractors instead of getting what the article called “traditional jobs”.

Here are a couple of paragraphs that demonstrate the difference between real Democrats and real Republicans.  First, the writer’s opinion.

“Supporters say companies such as the ride-hailing Uber provide flexibility to workers and consumers with a minimum of government regulatory oversight.  Critics such as Mrs. Clinton say the ‘gig economy’ model may have its virtues but it leaves workers as disposable contractors with potentially no recourse for mistreatment by a company”

Those are the words of the reporter and, if your reading comprehension is in gear, you can see that the difference is that either you are responsible for you success or you need the government to protect you.

Now for the actual words of Clinton.

“This on-demand, or so-called gig economy, is creating exciting opportunities and unleashing innovation.  But it is also raising hard questions about workplace protections and what a good job will look like in the future.”

Then there are responses from a couple of Republican presidential hopefuls. 

Do you see the pattern?  You should.  Elections matter.  There are a lot of things about the Republican big tent that I don’t embrace.  Smoke and mirrors abound.  When the smoke clears and the mirrors break I find that I am still a person who believes that I know what is best for me and I don’t need the government to tell me.

I am a Republican, a real one.  What are you?

homo unius libri