Politics: Stereotypes

I’m often quick to rhetorically lambaste anyone who even sneezes of a stereotype. I simply don’t put up with such talk. But contradictorily, I am one of the first to stereotype political groups (namely Democrats and Republicans). My justification is something like, “ideology is a choice unlike race, and therefore it is OK to judge people based on their choices, just not on something they cannot help.” This, at some level, is true. I may justifiably judge someone on their individual choices (political beliefs), but where my logic fails is in grouping a broad spectrum of ideologies into two categories. For one, many of the generalities are contradictory to individual issue party stances.

The RNC is not strictly for reducing the size of the government. It supports strengthening governmental control within a social setting (gay marriage, abortion, capital punishment, border control) and almost always supports increased military power (increased budget, war, and decreased privacy rights).

The DNC is not strictly for increasing the size of the government. It hardly ever supports legislation to take away full freedom of American citizens (gay marriage, abortion, capital punishment, privacy rights) and mostly supports decreased military power (decreased budget, diplomacy, and protection of privacy rights).

Republicans are not all rich, greedy, and selfish. Many support decreased taxes because they feel it is the best policy to eventually help the poor (trickle down theory) or they are the poor (small business) and need every cent they can get.

Democrats are not saintly philanthropists who want to help every American regardless of their circumstances. Many are for increased welfare restrictions (me) and decreased unemployment for preventable firings.

In general (ironic), Republicans and Democrats are not that different. They both want what is best for people but on many occasions have drastically different interpretations on what is actually best, or even more often, what policies will most successfully improve our wellbeing.

I will continue to argue my political views to death, but instead of making snap judgments at the mere smell of the word Republican or conservative, I will ask questions on specific issues and motivations. Maybe we can come to some common middle ground, hopefully a little left of center.