We all have unique perspectives. We have unique backgrounds, education, family life, and more. So, we are individuals who see the world because of our uniqueness.
I preface this post with this because what I am about to write is from my individual view, and it is part of why I believe a certain way when it comes to politics and life in general. My Musing, my opinion.
Here it is:
I believe that I am a member of the Party of Positivity.
Obviously I am a biased person, and I have my own unique background, education, family life, and more, And it has brought me to this place. I want to be a positive person.
Therefore, I am a member of the Democratic Party.
Why is it The positive party? I believe the Democratic Party of today has the platforms and the people that look to change America for the better, and to keep it moving forward. I believe when it works on issues in our country, the Democratic party uses positive language, and keeps hope alive for all Americans. They are about never giving up. And, they are about never wanting to go backwards. Democrats know that words matter. Language can flatter, hurt, cite to anger, calm people down. And I believe It is better to uplift than to degrade. To go high than to use low foul words. I believe it is the Democratic party that makes positive changes when it comes to working on racial divides, and on any kind of divide in our country really. They are the party of acceptance, and therefore, from my perspective, the real party of freedom. Freedom to not have to fight for just me. Freedom to be a part of a system striving to work for everyone. They are the party of the Civil Rights movement, and the party that elected Barack Obama. They are the party that created regulations to keep our environment clean. The party that introduced car safety requirements.
I scroll along on Facebook and I read posts from both parties all the time. The ones I see from my Republican friends seem to be coming from a place of fear, and of worry of change. Fear and worry cause people to retreat. They want to go back to old ways. They want to “Make America Great Again” – like it used to be. They post memes of life in the 1950s and 60s and wish “if only life was like that again.”
So – Let’s look at some issues:
Immigration and the border: It’s a big one right now. Dems want to provide basic help to those at the border. They put the care of another human being above ‘rights’ and money. Any human being. It may take alittle time but it’s worth it. Reps want to close the border and let those who have come there looking for some help just to fend for themselves. Turn ’em around. Whatever happens happens. Somewhere in the middle I think we can be a caring Country and offer basic needs, AND also lead them through the complicated and lengthy legal system to enter. That idea is a more positive and Democratic way of thinking.
Guns. Dems want to move forward with gun safety methods. Better and required registrations. Even some Reps do. But, the loud and money-dangling NRA and gun makers (who are run by Republicans) say “no” to any kind of improvements. Just “no.” Absolutely “no.” They use negative language and scare tactics: they say that everyone will have their guns taken away (not true), and we won’t be able to protect ourselves from the big, bad world. The Republican gun owners are told by the NRA: don’t change anything! Never change!
Education: The Democratic Party wants to look ahead and provide equal, good education to all who desire it. They put forth possible ways to make it happen. Yes – Some Include free possibilities. Some are reduced in cost because the universities are too expensive for a normal person these days. And, they look to the future, when our kids and grand kids will be adults and in charge – and will need education for whatever work or trade they pursue. Republicans say “I never got a free ride, so they should not either. Don’t make me pay for it. Schools take too much of our tax money already. ”
Abortion: A big and very different issue. The Democrats believe a woman has the right to decide, and to get good medical attention. They realize the value of mental health for women, and the real struggle for financial support for an unwanted child. The Dems keep faith beliefs separate from government mandates. They believe women are able to make up their own minds. Now the Republicans again say NO! In fact they want women to go ahead and have babies – regardless of circumstance or individual religious belief of the woman, yet they also want to complain when so many are on federal assistance, and ‘can’t get a job.’ Democrats want to provide day care, and doable ways to move forward. They want to offer women better sex education, and counseling, and birth control. They want women to choose!
Veterans: I think every single American should thank a veteran because they have done an extremely unselfish thing, and have put their own life on the line for all of us. I think we ALL want to help them when they return – emotionally and physically scarred. Education. Housing. Medical care. But, some how even this has become a dividing issue and it blows my mind. Republicans blame the Dems when there are short comings in the system. Believe me, it’s not political. I get offended when Republicans say I don’t care about Vets and our military. Not like they do! Like it’s a game to see who is the most patriotic. Accusing another American of not loving the country enough is mean. It’s negative. It’s dividing.
There are so many more issues…
Medical care for all. Small business success. Helping single parents. Living in a global world. Keeping peace around the world. Diplomacy. Subsidizing farmers. Minimum wage increases with the cost of living increases. Pandemic readiness. Environment.
All of these issues are positives for our country! And, I believe it’s one party that really wants to work on them and not say “No.” All the above issues are about taking care of each other and being aware of the needs we have at home and around the world.
Here’s the bottom line. Keep in mind that it is my unique perspective, as I said at the beginning. I look at Republicans and I see, and hear, NO as their favorite word. NO to many ways to make the country better for us all. No advancements. No equal status for all. No help to the depressed and down on their luck. No to those who were born elsewhere. No to gun safety. No to working with Allies. No to international trade. No, no no. The Republican mindset is ‘every man for himself’ and that my money is mine – so stop taking it. I did it, so can somebody else can too. There must be something wrong with them If they don’t.” Again, it’s about looking and going backwards to when people had to survive on their own because the country was new, and raw, and uncultured, and transportation and technology were just in their infancy. That’s how it worked then, so that’s how it should be now. It was “The good ole days.” Right?
I see memes about ‘when children played outside til the street lights came on’. Such wonderful times! They make me laugh. Because yes, I, this white woman of middle America, who grew up in a safe neighborhood, had that very thing. I did get to play outside without fear. My parents gave me security, and food, and shelter, and an education.
But I am smart enough to know, and have read accounts enough to know, that It was just a small slice of American life then. Others were in big city ghettos. Suffering. Scared. Hopeless. Many had only one parent around. Working two jobs. Scrapping by. Feeling forgotten. Judged and left behind by skin color.
You know, most of America’s citizens immigrated here, and it took a long time for many to fit in, and to be a real American. They even changed their names to ask in and not be noticed. They congregated in small communities with others from Germany, and Italy, and Ireland. My family is one example of that. Of course there were those who were forced to come here on ships – brought from Africa. It was not that long ago. I think we forget! We are a young country!! Yet, here we are with Republicans not wanting to allow more to come in. No! No more. Oh – and don’t you know that they are all bad people?
I know, you are saying, Marla, it’s all about the money. Yes, it always is, isn’t it? And it’s about keeping Democracy and not turning our country into the big bad word of “Socialism.” It’s about keeping MY freedom. It’s about MY rights. It’s about MY country first.
So, let me ask…
Which party REALLY wants to make the life of ME a life for everyone?? I think I know. It’s the one who looks to the future, and who says, yes, we can do better and we can continue to work for a more perfect union. We can. (Not “No.”)
It’s the Party of Positivity.
PS: IF my Republican friends have read this far, and I doubt that they have, they will say…well, you sure were mean about Trump When he ran and was president. You posted negative memes. And, yes, I did. I was extremely frustrated by his actions that were sending us backwards. I heard the negative language. I watched positive actions get reversed. I was just as frustrated and hurt by those who accepted (and applauded and supported) going backwards. They were people I knew – but I did not understand them.
Marla’s Musings 