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Democrats and Republicans: More Similar than they'd Care to Admit
The ongoing saga of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is teaching me that, when the rubber hits the road, Democrats and Republicans really aren't that different. To state such a thing publicly would no doubt draw gasps of horror from both sides, who seem to regard each other as mortal enemies (how a country so divided has not yet fallen is anyone's guess, in my opinion).
When Republicans go astray, Democrats immediately jump up and down demanding resignation, imprisonment, or castration. It's all about justice, say the Democrats, it's all about letting women be heard and believed and making it clear that what they say matters. That, they say, is the Democrat way. Republicans, many say, and I have actually read things like this, hate justice, hate women, hate minorities, don't care about people, bla bla bla. It all reminds me of why partisanship sickens me so much. And when the shoe is on the other foot, Republicans are no less indignant, self-righteous, unkind, and hateful about Democrats, whom many Republicans believe are akin to the representatives of Satan.
Now that Governor Cuomo has many accusations of sexual harrassment and misconduct leveled at him, it's interesting to see how these Democrats are reacting. House Speaker Pelosi, usually at the forefront of calls for resignation of Republicans, says that women should be believed, but won't go past that vague, noncommittal pronouncement and call for Cuomo's resignation. President Biden, who promised the firing of such troublemakers in his sphere of power, will not go so far as to express a strong opinion on this situation. IT's not within Biden's sphere of power, granted, but shouldn't he show his sincerity by speaking out in a situation such as this? Instead, he wants to see how the investigation unfolds, a pronouncement that, were it vien by a Republican, both he and Pelosi would be jumping all over before you can say lawsuit.
So in the end, after the ballots are counted and no one is up for immediate re-election, there is very little difference between a Republican and a Democrat. Both believe in swift and unfailing justice - leveled against members of the other party. Both believe in lenience, forgiveness, and the benefit of the doubt - when it comes to members of their own party. And both firmly believe that the other party is an enemy to the people. I worry for America.
When Republicans go astray, Democrats immediately jump up and down demanding resignation, imprisonment, or castration. It's all about justice, say the Democrats, it's all about letting women be heard and believed and making it clear that what they say matters. That, they say, is the Democrat way. Republicans, many say, and I have actually read things like this, hate justice, hate women, hate minorities, don't care about people, bla bla bla. It all reminds me of why partisanship sickens me so much. And when the shoe is on the other foot, Republicans are no less indignant, self-righteous, unkind, and hateful about Democrats, whom many Republicans believe are akin to the representatives of Satan.
Now that Governor Cuomo has many accusations of sexual harrassment and misconduct leveled at him, it's interesting to see how these Democrats are reacting. House Speaker Pelosi, usually at the forefront of calls for resignation of Republicans, says that women should be believed, but won't go past that vague, noncommittal pronouncement and call for Cuomo's resignation. President Biden, who promised the firing of such troublemakers in his sphere of power, will not go so far as to express a strong opinion on this situation. IT's not within Biden's sphere of power, granted, but shouldn't he show his sincerity by speaking out in a situation such as this? Instead, he wants to see how the investigation unfolds, a pronouncement that, were it vien by a Republican, both he and Pelosi would be jumping all over before you can say lawsuit.
So in the end, after the ballots are counted and no one is up for immediate re-election, there is very little difference between a Republican and a Democrat. Both believe in swift and unfailing justice - leveled against members of the other party. Both believe in lenience, forgiveness, and the benefit of the doubt - when it comes to members of their own party. And both firmly believe that the other party is an enemy to the people. I worry for America.