journal:

Comparing Apples to Apples

By Jonathan Feaster

2006-11-09

The other day a reader asked me a good question with regards to the Leviathan Parties.

Here's what was said:

reader: Can you give me a brief summary of your opinion of Republicans and then Democrats on the following issues, and at the end of that summary, tell me which party holds the advantage between the two on each specific issue, if you would.

Taxes

Regulation

Social Issues

National Defense

For the purposes of this exercise, pretend that the Libertarian party doesn't exist, ONLY these two parties exist and you HAVE to vote for one or the other. Which do you vote for?

Jon Feaster: If you ask me, I believe, when referring to a subject like this one, that you have to look at more than just four dimensions. Nevertheless, I'll humor you. Remember, I'm not listing principals because both of these parties have no principals. I'm just giving a broad analysis of the way most of the respective members of each party tend to lean on the said issues.

Democrats on Taxes: Some Democrats seem to advocate so-called tax cuts...only for the middle class. I do not believe in progressive taxes on income or any taxes on income for that matter. Most people look at tax cuts as tax reform but if we want to truly reform the tax system, we should start by addressing out of control government spending.

Republicans on Taxes: Most Republicans seem to believe in tax cuts to stimulate the economy. Again, I do not believe in taxes on income. If Republicans really wanted to do something about stimulating the economy, they would reduce government spending and abolish taxes on income. Without cutting government spending and reducing government down to its proper roles (defense, judicial systems and police), tax cuts are like using a nail clipper to clear the brush.

Democrats on Regulation: Most Democrats believe our economy should be regulated to great extents. People should be free to trade with one another as long as they do not bring harm to others. If a person brings harm to another person through negligence or misrepresentation the government should be there via judicial systems and common law. For many years government regulation has increased to unprecedented levels yet, in most cases, government regulations have often made matters worse even though they may have been well intentioned. Frederic Bastiat and Thomas Sowell are two of my favorites (and two of the many!) who have some great books on unintended consequences of government action.

Republicans on Regulation: Republicans love to legislate morality, be it through smoking bans, media censorship and private matters such as sexual activities or orientation. In private, these personal matters are none of the government's business. Morality is family business, not bureaucracy business.

Democrats on Social Issues: Most often Democrats seem to favor special treatment for minorities or other select groups. People are always going to have differences...many times differences for ignorant reasons such as colors of skin. One way to overcome these differences is to end preferential policies and allow people to freely engage in trade. You'll be surprised at how the market can help bring about win-win situations, friendly relationships and flourishing cultures. See another of Thomas Sowell's books, Ethnic America: A History.

Republicans on Social Issues: See Republicans on Regulation above.

Democrats on National Defense: Democrats tend to support U.S. Military Actions via so-called leadership of the United Nations. The Constitution is the supreme law of this land and not foreign entities such as the United Nations whose members are not elected by or accountable to The American People.

Republicans on National Defense: Most Republicans support military adventurism. National Defense is about DEFENSE, not military adventurism. We should only engage in conflict if we are attacked or there is a reasonable imminent threat of attack. Furthermore, legislation such the Patriot Act and the REAL ID Act, which most Republicans support in the name of national defense, sacrifices civil liberties and is used to engage in domestic activities beyond what it was supposedly intended for. (ie. The Patriot Act has been used in many instances to engage in the Drug War , among other things, and The REAL ID poses a great threat to individual and state's rights). We should be wary and vigilant when the government threatens our liberties no matter what reasons they give us. I like what Doctor Franklin said on the subject:

"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." - Benjamin Franklin

Short and simple...if the Libertarian Party doesn't exist, ONLY the above two parties exist and I HAVE to vote for one or the other; I would flip a coin, run as a candidate for one of the parties, vote for myself and, if elected, my first item of business would be to repeal any laws that say you HAVE to vote.