With today’s two-party political system, it is easy to understand why many individuals find themselves frustrated with the government in some form. Whether complaining about a stalwart Congress or debating the merit of a party’s ideology, analysis of the Democratic and Republican parties’ platforms provides puzzling results.
First, let’s examine the Democratic Party. Especially in the current administration, proposed legislation from Democrats seems to have one common thread — government intervention. With copious examples of the Democratic Party proposing legislation, intervening in affairs of the private sector, the debate surrounding the role of government with business seemed to be exacerbated a couple of years ago with the bailout of the auto industry. More recently, Senate Democrats proposed a bill that called for a mandate for private companies to pay employees equally, regardless of gender or race. Whether these bills are just, it is clear that the Democratic Party provides solutions to problems by exercising the power of the government.
Juxtaposed to the Democratic platform, Republicans pride themselves in removing bureaucratic red tape. Republicans call for deregulation and want streamlined processes, claiming this will help empower populations to achieve success. Recently pushing for bills removing restrictions on the mining industry, or pushing for expanded oil drilling rights, the Republican Party seeks to diminish the government’s influence over private business.
Examining these two philosophies, it seems obvious why the United States has long since operated under a two-party political system. On the one hand, citizens may put their trust in government to handle a myriad of problems; on the other, citizens may seek representation in Congress which will seek to remove government intervention from everyday life. It seems reasonable. That is, until policies other than economic ones are discussed.
The Democratic Party, with its stringent government policies, seeks to expand freedoms and expectations of minorities, calling for less strict immigration policies or allowing same-sex couples to marry. This seems to diminish the role of government. Why does the party that seeks to expand the federal government’s influence seek to weaken its influence over immigrants and other minorities?
Republicans, however, who so often claim to be threatened by the government’s influence, have proposed many bills creating much stricter immigration policies, allowing for easier deportation methods. Additionally, Republicans seek to expand the role of government in personal lives by strengthening marriage legislation by calling for federal restrictions, or a federal definition of marriage as between a man and a woman, not only blurring the lines of church and state, which was instituted by the Constitution, but also setting a precedent for government intervention within the walls of a household.
What does all of this mean? It means that as a supporter of civil rights, a person must then also support strong government influence in economic policy. It means that as someone who desires little government intrusion, that person must also support legislation that disenfranchises millions of Americans.
Because of the strength of the two parties, many Americans find themselves frustrated because members of Congress are not truly representative of a majority of citizen’s views. Republicans refuse to support a candidate that may be fiscally conservative, but desires social change, while Democrats disavow candidates that desire not only economic influence by the government, but also support traditional values. With this paradox paired with a congressional inability to reach reasonable compromises, it is no surprise that politics have reached a point of intense polarization, barring any comprehensive reform to be enacted.
Flashpoint
FLASHPOINT: Party positions leave many people frustrated
- Flashpoint
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FLASHPOINT: Again in 2013 General Assembly, middle class generally ignored
Last year, the people of Indiana entrusted the Republican Party with some of their most precious possessions.
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FLASHPOINT: Indiana lawmakers reinforced school safety mechanisms
Nothing is more important to me than the safety of my children. Every parent has felt that instant, apprehensive rush when their child plays too close to the street or falls down while playing soccer and it is our responsibility as parents to implement every safety mechanism we can muster to protect our kids.
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FLASHPOINT: Lessons from the legacy media — get it right, first
Enough mistakes and maybe we’ll learn: When in doubt, leave it out.
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FLASHPOINT: Hoosiers got steady hand in recent session
As the General Assembly began its work last November, as Speaker of the House, I pledged a renewed spirit of bipartisanship with legislators working together to solve our state’s most pressing challenges. As this year’s legislative session concludes, representatives from throughout the state — Republican and Democrat — have joined together to address those issues at the forefront of Hoosier minds: maintaining our state’s fiscal integrity, spurring job creation and expanding education opportunities for every Hoosier family.
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FLASHPOINT: Time has arrived for overhaul of TV news
Former FCC Chairman Alfred Sikes gave an address in 1992 in which he claimed television news was too superficial and too focused on visuals.
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FLASHPOINT: Fiscal cliff, Obamacare have already raised taxes enough
Our history is rich with stories of people who have immigrated to the United States for a chance at the American Dream. The American Dream, in its truest form, is the opportunity to achieve success by working hard and playing by the rules; to make it on your own and to say, “I earned this.”
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FLASHPOINT: Expanding Medicaid coverage makes sense for Indiana
Since last summer’s U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act effectively gave states the option to expand Medicaid, policymakers across the country have debated if and how to extend health programs to millions of uninsured Americans.
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FLASHPOINT: Improve public education, stop experimenting with it
In January, the four of us who serve as the Democrats on the House Education Committee outlined our hopes for the 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly, particularly in joining with Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz to offer common sense solutions to improve the quality of education for our children. With the halfway point of this session past us, we remain optimistic that positive steps can be taken … but that optimism is tempered by the reality that education policies are being directed by a legislative majority that has a radically different agenda.
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Healthcare law anniversary no reason for celebration
March 23 marked three years since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law, yet this is not an anniversary that deserves celebration.
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FLASHPOINT: Defending state’s authority is attorney general’s obligation
The law of the land recognizes the authority of states to license marriage.
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FLASHPOINT: Stability key for state’s future
Hoosiers have the unique luxury of being the fiscal envy of the nation due to the sound fiscal policies of the last eight years.
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FLASHPOINT: House budget offers Medicaid solution for Indiana
This week, my U.S. House Budget Committee colleagues and I introduced a federal budget resolution for fiscal year 2014. Our budget is a responsible plan that stops spending money and balances in 10 years — largely through making key reforms to drivers of our debt like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
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FLASHPOINT: Problem gambling in Indiana: A new understanding of community concern
The week of March 3 was designated as National Problem Gambling Awareness Week.
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FLASHPOINT: Eastern time in Indiana defies common sense
Nobody complains more than Hoosiers about changing their clocks. And there’s a valid reason — daylight-savings time in Indiana’s Eastern Time Zone is painful.
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Praying for civil resolution to debate over gun control
Guns are lively ammunition for passionate debate these days.
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FLASHPOINT: It’s not too late to expand health services
This week, state leaders euthanized the biggest, boldest Hoosier jobs proposal of the 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly.
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FLASHPOINT: You can’t go back again — and that’s OK
Our progressive colleagues have been telling us for years that the 1950s were a horrid time.
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FLASHPOINT: The fierce urgency of now — nation needs to protect youth
The alcohol-fueled alleged serial rape of a 16-year-old Ohio girl by two of her similarly impaired classmates — not to mention the drunken videotaped commentary of others — points yet again to the imperative that adult America renews its commitment to address as a true national community those issues that most threaten the health, safety and forward development of youth.
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FLASHPOINT: A pastor speaks out against Sullivan’s ‘traditional prom’
I am a pastor in Sullivan, Ind., and I am outraged.
Recently, two young students applied to walk the Grand March together in the school prom in Sullivan. -
FLASHPOINT: 0wning firearms is a First Amendment exercise, too
Following the hysteria generated by gun prohibitionists in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy, a nationwide rush on gun stores began as citizens bought semiautomatic modern sporting rifles, handguns and ammunition, in effect “making a political statement” about proposals to ban such firearms.
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FLASHPOINT: Maintaining the priority
Recently a newspaper article has been written about a change in the by-laws of the Indiana High School Athletic Association which speaks directly to attempted undue influence exerted upon students below the level of grade nine and their parents.
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FLASHPOINT: The fairness of marriage
What is the current Indiana law concerning marriage? Our state defines marriage in a singular way — between a man and a woman.
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FLASHPOINT: We ask state legislators to abide by their oath of office
All of us relish giving unsolicited advice to our elected representatives.
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FLASHPOINT: Mentoring is having major impact on public education
While managing local utility services, Mike Martin found a new way to energize his community, and students are starting to benefit.
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FLASHPOINT: Common Core standards should be common sense
Years ago, when state officials and education experts came together to create new model standards for schools, they probably never expected it to be controversial.
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FLASHPOINT: Milestone year for Rose-Hulman
The Rose-Hulman campus traditionally quiets down this time of year, yet for me I sense a renewed energy from the phenomenal year just closing.
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FLASHPOINT: ISU’s reasoning flawed in flight school planning
ISU and the taxpayers of Indiana and Vigo County are being led down a path of deception once again.
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FLASHPOINT: Incessant attacks on Christianity by the ACLU
It is obviously apparent that the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is continuing its onslaught against religious freedom in the United States.
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FLASHPOINT: Americans deserve more value for their tax dollars
While traveling the 8th District and listening to fellow Hoosiers during my first term in Congress, I have reached the conclusion that many constituents do not believe they are getting value for the tax dollars that come out of their paychecks and are sent to Washington, D.C.
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FLASHPOINT: Election results finally in: Media reports were negative
Analysts who wonder why the citizenry is so down on politics can begin the discussion by looking at media coverage.
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FLASHPOINT: Again in 2013 General Assembly, middle class generally ignored
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