Monday, January 28, 2008

Which is Worse, Democrats or Republicans?

I am really trying to decide.

This is the basic Republican platform:
Lower and flatter taxes, lower government intervention, lower overall spending, higher military spending, market health care, , school choice, immigration enforcement only, the Patriot act, a "tough" justice system, preventing affirmative action, a more interventionist foreign policy, abstinence only education, laws against gay marriage, restrictions on abortion, nuclear power, keeping the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, and free trade.

Democrats like these things: Higher, more uneven taxation, income redistribution, environmental protection, strong emphasis on renewable energy, gay marriage or civil unions, lower penalties for drug offenses, strong restrictions of free trade, comprehensive immigration reform, single payer universal health care, abortions for everyone, affirmative action, repealing don't ask, don't tell, a less interventionist foreign policy, repealing the patriot act, more spending, and more welfare/income redistribution.

The issues in bold are the issues on which I agree with the party. The Dems took 6 out of 16, the GOP got 9. I still have to weigh these issues in importance. Does school choice make up for starting wars? Does gay marriage make up for the coercive confiscation of property?

I guess I'll do what Americans have been doing for a long time, now. I'll wait and see who the candidates are, then hold my nose and vote for whoever happens to be least bad.

No comments: