With a national election just around the corner on November 3rd, I thought it might be good to contrast the platforms of each of the major parties so you can vote intelligently. Here is a brief summary of each party. Republicans in the main are politically, socially, and economically conservative. They believe in a smaller federal government with the responsibility for meeting citizen’s needs given to the states. Democrats in the main are politically, socially, and economically liberal. They believe it is the federal government’s responsibility to provide for citizens through social programs initiated by the federal government. Here are their positions:
Republican Party Positions
Economic conservatism
1. Support lower taxes
2. Support free market capitalism
3. Support deregulation of corporations
4. Support restrictions on labor unions
5. Support personal or employer-based health insurance and opposes a single-payer, government-run health care system
6. Support increased military spending
Social conservatism
1. Support restrictions on abortions
2. Support second amendment gun rights
3. Oppose same-sex marriage and LGBT rights
4. Oppose drug legalization including marijuana
5. Support restrictions on immigration
6. Support school choice
7. Oppose affirmative action
8. Support strict interpretation of the Constitution as opposed to the “living Constitution” model
9. *Republicans are divided over climate change between those denying there is an issue and those believing humans are causing climate change and global warming
10. Support strong alliance with Israel
Democratic Party Positions
Economic liberalism
1. Support progressive tax system
2. Support universal health care
3. Support higher minimum wages
4. Support public education
5. Support subsidized housing for low-income families
Social liberalism
1. Support abortion rights
2. Support gun control
3. Support racial equality
4. Support egalitarianism and social equality
5. Support same-sex marriage and LGBT rights
6. Support religious secularism
7. Support pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants
8. Support equal employment opportunity
9. Support affirmative action
10. Support the “living Constitution” model
11. Support the need for climate change
So there you have it, two very different views of government. Where do I stand? I’m a conservative Republican. I support the platform of the Republicans. Do I like the president? Donald Trump is a sinner. So are we all. You may not like his personality or his past behavior, neither do I. However, his policies and leadership have been extraordinary for America.
Perhaps the biggest single reason I’m a Republican is not because of President Trump’s policies but that he is pro-life and so is the Republican Party. I could not support a candidate or a party who does not stand for life. Without life nothing else matters. The Bible clearly regards life in the womb as a pre-born human being with worth, dignity, and value. To abort that life is nothing less than murder. Here are just a few of the persuasive passages from God’s Word to reinforce that belief: Genesis 25:23, “Two nations are in your womb” (God speaking to Rebekah). Psalm 139:13, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?” Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Luke 1:41, “the baby leaped in her womb” (as Mary greeted Elizabeth). Isaiah 44:2, “Thus says the Lord who made you and formed you from the womb. . .”
This election is crucial to the future of this nation. Vote as though your life depends on it. It does!
Irv