(January 12, 2012 at 2:18 pm)paintpooper Wrote: There is a right left paradigm going on in this country, can't we see they both strive for the same basic things, but differ on things like "Birth Control" "Gays" "abortions" it is made to polarize the people into distinct parties who are against each other, for reasons of control. Democrats and Republicans are much much more alike then we think. They differ on social issues to create an artificial debate for the people to squawk about, so we "think" we are making a difference with our vote, when their economic and foreign policies are very identical. Deep down most people just want the same simple things, so they create these issues to divide us.
While I agree that both parties have a similar end goal in mind, the means by which they accomplish this goal are what actually matter - thus we have multiple parties (each thinking they know the correct methods to accomplish said end goal).
A unifying method is an ideal but ultimately a contradiction. Mans' opinion differs too much for this to ever be possible. The best one can do is to sway as many people as they can to adopt their methods - thus they create the social discussions (because unfortunately the majority of people aren't capable of political thought or any real thought for that matter). While the statistic is falling, religious individuals still dominate the high majority of the population - thus it is very intelligent to tap into this.
The essential difference between methods is very simple, and something which most people think is common sense when given both positions.
Republican - small government, people support themselves, civil liberties, individual freedom the individual
Democrat - large government, people support each other, collective liberties, collective freedom collective
It is highly likely that younger, single individuals support a republican mindset right off the bat, while older, married (parents) support a democratic mindset right off the bat. There are positives and negatives to each, which is why we work together to make the best solution - not everyone can support themselves, but no one should be forced to support someone else (an essential paradox between mindsets).
The best we can do is put someone in office who understands this and works to incorporate the best methods from each mindset to get to the end goal in the most efficient and positive manner.
The philosophical question: What is the most efficient or positive manner?
And that's the beauty of perspective.
Brevity is the soul of wit.