"I Think Both Parties Stink"
Thursday, December 24, 2009 at 10:43AM 
(FLP Opinion) - How many times have you heard somone make a statement similar to that? I've heard it more times than I can count recently and I've grown very tired of it, because it's simply not true.
Today when I hear it I usually respond with something like this: "Really? Well, let's consider that for a moment. One party is spending us into oblivion, spitting on the Constitution and doing everything possible to make this nation a Socialist utopia. The other spent too much money when in power and didn't quite live up to our conservative principals. But you think they're both equally bad, huh?"
That comment usually engenders a response like this: "Well, huh, maybe not, but the Republicans did spend too much money and squandered a great opportunity when they controlled the White House and Congress." I respond, "You're absolutely right, but that doesn't equate to them being as bad as Democrats. It's like comparing Charles Manson to a jaywalker. They both committed a crime, but one pales in comparison to the other."
Because most conservatives are confident in their own beliefs and willing to listen to contrarian points of view, I've yet to have the occasion when the person I said this to didn't reverse course and agree with my assessment. It's only logical.
The overarching point is that we play into the hands of the Democrats and the media when we take the position that both parties stink. It lets Democrats off the hook for all they've done and weakens the Republican base by dampening enthusiasm - which we need in spades to drive voter turnout in 2010.
Keep this in mind the next time you hear the "both parties stink" line - and you will. Then deliver a subtle, but firm correction!
Reader Comments (13)
Totally agree with what you're saying. I'm sick of hearing myself. Republicans aren't perfect, but look at the freaking alternative! It's totally unacceptable.
Valid points - I've said it myself more times than I could count in the last year. It certainly isn't an apples to apples comparison when you think it through.
Good work - very thought provoking stuff.
Both parties do suck, but one sucks far worse than the other. So, good point.
I've always felt that declaring yourself an "independent" was just thumbing your nose at society. You don't have a chance at winning and it's basically just making a statement. And I can always appreciate statements because I've made a few myself. HOWEVER, the movers and shakers have to decide who they are. Not making a decision is in fact making a decision. At least with the Republicans you can respect what they stand for and appreciate the honesty. Democrats are notorious for the ol' bait and switch.
This is very true. I've said it myself and I do feel like the Republican Party has let us down, however, compared to the scumacrats, they are heaven sent. Good advice.
Democrats suck worse than anything. It's really that simple. The word Democrat is synonymous with the word suck.
Very relevant points. Definitely not apples to apples.
While I can certainly understand your point, and appreciate the information, I have to point out what I consider important. The Republicans run on smaller government, and yet EVERY TIME they get elected they grow it bigger. The promise us tax cuts, budget cuts, and more control over our lives, our freedom, our wealth, and our destiny. But do they EVER deliver on any of those promises? Not in my recollection. I saw a chart the other day showing the growth of what I consider un-neccessary and unconstitutional government programs. The smallest growth was under Reagan, but it was still GROWTH OF GOVERNMENT. Even under Reagan it was still GROWTH OF GOVERNMENT. In short: The Republicans lie. I've been believing their lies for too long. I'm tired of being fooled. Tired of having them pee on my leg and tell me its raining. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. Well they've fooled us all WAY too many times. Enough is enough.
For these reasons I cannot call myself a Republican and so I more appropriately call myself anti-Democrat. I'm really more Libertarian, but cannot agree with the foreign policy ideas of that party. I can agree that Democrats are far more evil, Socialist, and dishonest than Republicans. Your analogy of comparing Charles Manson to a jaywalker is appropriate, but I don't want to hire any law breaker! I want somebody that's going to do what they say.
This past election we saw the true colors of the Republican party in the 23rd district of New York when they supported a socialist Republican rather than supporting the Conservative candidate. The party doesn't deserve your loyalty. They espouse the ideals to get your vote, but don't really believe anything they say any more than the Democrats. In my local district the Republican Party bosses have an opportunity to support a real conservative grass roots guy, but they aren't. They are working to prevent him from running because they fear that they won't be able to corrupt and control him.
Democrats might be the lowest of the low-lifes, but the Republicans count on you thinking that way. They know they can get your vote as long as the 2 party system remains. We need to build a true alternative to these 2 bad choices. Choosing the lesser of 2 evils is still choosing evil. We need a real Conservative Libertarian party that believes in freedom, liberty, individualism, and the innate God-given right to choose our own destiny without interference from government.
Tom,
Idealistically, I really don't disagree with much of anything you said. However, I'm looking at this from the standpoint of what is realistic, not idealistic. If I could have the government you described, sign me up, but I don't think that's realistic at this point in time and we can't afford larger Democrat majorities and an Obama reelection. They may have already damaged the country beyond repair; another term would guarantee it.
Your points about Republicans are pretty much dead on, though Reagan largely grew government in order to get the defense spending and tax cuts he wanted approved by Congressional Democrats. During the Reagan presidency, tax receipts actually grew 88%, so his tax cuts more than paid for themselves.
I think we're on the same page Tom, I'm just looking at it from a slightly different perspective which leads me to drawing a markedly different conclusion. At the end of the day, a jay walker may annoy you, but Charles Manson will kill you.
I don't think you're being realistic at all, but quite idealistic instead. As I've stated: the Republicans have repeatedly LIED TO US about smaller government. The chart I viewed was a look at non-defense spending, and yet the total expenditures grew significantly. I know Reagan's tax cuts led to increased revenues, and I understand he had to engage in some "horse trading" to get his tax cuts passed by the evil socialist Democrats, but that's not my point. He was elected while talking about eliminating the Department of Education, but he didn't do that, instead he grew that department. Bush was elected as a fiscal conservative with talk about (re)privatizing the Socialist (false sense of) Security Department. He did give us some temporary soon to expire tax cuts, but in his first year he increased education spending with the Kennedy Bill by some 18%. He gave us the prescription drug plan entitlement, and an entire new and un-necessary Department of Homeland Security. Smaller government? In the words of Aretha Franklin: "Who's zoomin' who?"
And yet you suggest we continue to support them hoping to prevent greater damage by the evil socialist Democrats. Why should we? What is realistic about that? Isn't that the very definition of idealism over reality? We can't afford another Republican win where they grow the government either. We must stop rewarding them with our votes and abandon them just as they've abandoned us. They've abandoned liberty and the principles upon which our nation was founded, and as such we must abandon them and their "socialist lite" agenda of growing government at a slower pace than the Democrats. As I said, and as was demonstrated in New York's 23rd district: They don't believe what they tell us. They don't believe in conservatism.
I think we're very much on the same page, and you're also correct that we're drawing a markedly different conclusion. I want both Charles Manson and the jaywalker out of my way so that I can live in peace and raise my children to a prosperous future. There are other choices besides supporting either law breaker. Some people still obey the law, and they are the ones we should reward with our vote.
Good points all Tom. We both want the most conservative government we can get. I think that is through a remade Republican Party and you believe that is through a new third-party entity. If I thought that third party would give us a legitimate chance of electing conservatives across the country, I'd support that group over the Republicans in a heartbeat.
I'm just not convinced that is realistic. I'm certainly willing to be convinced though.
I just read an article the other day that might have swayed me more to your position. The author talked about how we need to work from inside the Republican party and restore it to the conservative priciples we support. He talked about how they already have the fund raising and national organizational structures in place. He talked about how they have far lower hurdles for getting on any ballot in any state. Those points make great sense. He talked about kicking out all the RINO's and replacing them with true conservatives. I'm all for getting conservatives in place, but I'm not sure how it would be portrayed or received if we start kicking out the RINO's. I'd say we just stop voting for and electing them, and start voting for the true conservatives.
I'm hopeful that my Congressman Steve Chabot will win his election bid this November. I couldn't believe when he lost 2 years ago. He was one of the best guys there, and yet he lost to an evil socialist Democrat. The rub was that the evil Democrat had to use their typical tactic of lies and deceit. He ran as a "conservative" Democrat, and promised fiscal conservatism. Unfortunately he didn't believe it when he said it, and certainly didn't vote or govern that way once in Washington.
Dirty dog dishonest dastardly deceitful double-dealing Democrats...they lie all the time!
Tom,
I know Steve Chabot - not personally, but as a politician - I grew up in Cincinnati. He is certainly not the most attractive candidate, but he does have solid conservative credentials as I recall.
With regard to the GOP, I'd much rather rebuild it than start over. That being said, these RINO's have got to go - one way or the other. They're certainly responsible for the current state of the party.
Thanks for the well considered posts.