Democratic Oak Tree

“You’re on your own.”

You’ll hear Republican candidates debating sympathetically about health care, education, jobs, and so forth. But take a close look at the Republican Party’s actual record since the Roaring Twenties and you’ll see that its fundamental philosophy is “You’re on your own.”

Here are a few of the real consequences of Republican policies:

• You can’t afford to buy a house? Try a condo.
• You’re unable to pay for a doctor? Maybe a nonprofit clinic will treat you for free.
• You haven’t found decent-paying work? We’re very sorry.
• A dam broke and ruined your house? You’re free to rebuild.  If you can’t pay a contractor, maybe a nonprofit organization will help. Private charity is the best way to solve these problems.
• The kids down the street don’t have adequate textbooks and library facilities? We just don’t have the money.
• Suffering from a war injury? Talented surgeons patched you up already. Now you’re free to get on with your life.
• Spending a fortune on gas? Take public transportation. If the schedule’s too spotty, find a job closer to home.
• Your children aren’t learning? Move to a richer town, send the kids to a private school with small classes, or hire a tutor.
• Your neighbor’s house burned down because it took extra time for firefighters to arrive? Good thing it wasn’t your house!
• Your husband’s retirement fund vanished? You should have built up your own portfolio when you were younger. You’re free to make your own choices!
• The roads and sidewalks haven’t been repaired? We need to address that, but right now we don’t have the money.
• Concerned about food safety? The budget doesn’t allow for more inspectors.
• Your mother’s prescriptions cost too much? She’d better cut down on expenses. We can’t negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for a better deal – they need to be free to charge what they want.
• Too exhausted at night to read to your kids? Why not reduce your hours at work?
• College expenses are worrying you? Refinance your house so your child has a chance. If you don’t own a house, let your 18-year-old borrow the money.
• Paying too much in taxes? We’ll be glad to cut further. (The richest will benefit by several hundred thousand dollars while most people will see a reduction of a few hundred, plus rising fees and declining public services.)
• Worried for your kids’ sakes about housing, jobs, the national debt, international conflicts, environmental dangers? Remember, they’re on their own.

“You’re On Your Own” is what one analyst calls the YO-YO economy. (Do you remember how the yo-yo gets stuck after a few smooth spins?)

Some Americans are so upset with our current President that they focus on him as the reason our country is slipping backwards. He may be the most reckless President, but the reason he’s been able to do so much damage is that – until a few months ago - Republicans controlled both houses of Congress.

Although a handful of Republicans are distancing themselves from him now on the war, on almost every other crucial issue they stand together. They voted enthusiastically for those enormous tax cuts given to billionaires while cutting the budget for virtually everything except the war.

When they controlled Congress, Republicans prevented positive legislation from being voted on. They refused to investigate the scandals now coming to light. They were complicit in the suppression of scientists’ research.

You may wonder why Democratic President Clinton didn’t accomplish more in two terms. During his last six years in office, Republicans controlled Congress and blocked needed legislation. (They had plenty of time for unending investigations of impropriety!) Still, he reduced the national deficit and expanded jobs. Poverty diminished under Clinton.

Before Clinton, our country was led by Republicans George H. W. Bush and Ronald Reagan. Bush Senior was stymied from doing too much damage by a Democratic majority in Congress, but Reagan had a Republican Senate for six years. Tax cuts for the rich and “you’re on your own” were highlights of that amiable Presidency.

The devastating effects of Republican policies at the federal level have trickled down to state and local government during the past quarter-century. Let’s put an end to yo-yo politics and adopt the Democratic philosophy: “We’re all in this together.” 2008 can be the turning point.