American Exceptionalism - January 2012

Are there reasons for voting Republican this November (2012)? Many! And you may find them persuasive. For starters, if you feel wealthy people are being treated shabbily by our government, the Republican party has promised to attack that problem.  If you believe America will become more successful in the worldwide competition for jobs by providing less education to its citizens, the Republican Party has already proven its ability to lead in dumbing down our children. If you maintain that healthcare should be limited to people who share your values, then the entire group of Republican candidates still in the presidential race are fully behind you.

But there’s much more. If you have determined that the best way to prove America’s exceptionalism is to start another trillion-dollar war in the Middle East, your party stands ready to get tough with Iran.  If you deem certain kinds of “uppity” people as unworthy of running our government and are determined to “take back our country”, you don’t need to look far for a political party to support your view. If you are confident that taking the U.S. to the brink of default and signing pledges never to raise taxes is a clever way to put our government in its place, look no further.  If you approve of boycotting the State of the Union address or shouting “Liar!” from the floor when the President is speaking, then your choice is clear. If doing whatever you want to whomever you please and then requesting a pass from Jesus is your kind of religion, the Gingrich/Santorum wing of the party sees salvation in the same light.

But some of the most compelling reasons for voting Republican have yet to be mentioned. For example, if you shun compromise, the principle on which our democracy operates, so does your party.  If you think that the Majority Leader of the Senate should ignore legislative priorities and dedicate himself and his party to the defeat of the President, have I got a recommendation for you!  If you wish to vote for a political party that kowtows to a radio talk show host who often appears demented, that opportunity is at hand. If you hope to eliminate regulations, such as those that get in the way of your enjoyment of lead paint and asbestos, the anti-regulation party has a home for you. And if you will fight for the right to encourage your child’s obesity without government interference, then punish those pesky Democrats by voting Republican.

This review of Republican positions should help you select the party you believe will take America in the right direction.  But if not, get in touch. This is merely the short list.