The thing that strikes me is not any specific policy idea or goal, it is the difference in outlook between the two major American parties.

The Democratic party continued with its pessimistic themes — much as it has year after year.  Spending too much time listening to or reading Democratic party rhetoric is somewhat depressing.  People are losing jobs, America’s greatness has past, and the bar keeps on moving so that no matter what an average person does he or she is basically screwed.

Gary, Indiana. Table for One -- Photo by KM Photography

The secondary Democratic party message is that reminds me of over protective parents — the kind that won’t let their kid move out of the house, even though he’s 42.  They’ll promise to shelter, protect, and provide everything that anyone might ever need.  The problem here is that just like mom wanting to keep her son safe and sound in the basement, the government just can’t fulfil its promises.  Look at any major city’s public housing projects for an example.  People lining up at the Trustee’s office early in the morning waiting for hours and hours to get government assistance.  The whole scene causes anyone witnessing it to feel hopeless about their personal future.

The GOP always does a good job of presenting an optimistic message.  A little hard work and some effort can result in rewards.  We see the same thing in our own lives in our workplaces and neighborhoods.  People who are working hard usually end up doing well.  Times might be tough, but we’re going to pull through — just as we have in the past multiple times.  America is still great — no matter what some of those other countries say.  We still control our futures.  We don’t have to fear anything.

When I was younger, the Democrat’s message was inspiring to me.  It made me feel safe to know that there was possibly a parentalistic government out there that would take care of me if I failed to find a job.  However, behind such thoughts is a pessimism that one is unable to take care of ones own needs and problems.  Just as moving back into mom’s basement would provide safety and security, it also limits ones personal growth and opportunities.

Gary's Methodist Church. Photo by KM Photography.

And, the reality of the Democratic promise can be seen in person in many blue cities across the nation.  North Lake County has been dominated by the Democratic party for years.  The dream has turned into a nightmare for many as businesses and families have moved.  Those who stay have been subjected to higher taxes and lack of efficent government services.  Complaints abound from trash pick up, to crime, to educational failures.

All of these failures in the urban core lead to the cycle of despair that fuels the Democratic party rhetoric.  You need us, the Democrats say, because there are no jobs and criminals are threating your community with drugs and violence.  But, no one ever looks to see if the failures of the public educational system, taxation and other governmental policies are to blame for creating conditions in which crime and general hopelessness thrive?  No wonder the Democratic message always implies that we’re all screwed.  For many in “blue” areas, a harsh life filled with chaos, violence, and a lack of opportunity is a reality.

I’ve seen what the Democrats have done to Lake County.  I can see what they’ve done and what they’re doing to Illinois.  No thanks, I’ll pass on all of that.

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Technorati Tags: Democratic Party, Gary Indiana, Republican Party

It’s just that I’m too disgusted by it all. I’m tired of the power struggles, the pissing matches, and the protection of the patronage system. Maybe its time to let the Republicans have a go at county government.

I probably would have remained a Democrat — my parents have been lifelong Democrats, my college education was dominated by Democratic Party leaning professors and I interned for Democrats on the state and federal level — if I hadn’t moved to Northwest Indiana.

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Technorati Tags: Democratic Party, Lake County

Supporters of Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. who have been interfering with public discourse on Hammond issues need to be reined in. And the one to reel them is the mayor himself.

Unfettered public dialogue on the issues is one of the founding principles of democracy. It’s important enough that the Founding Fathers put it in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

And yet that public discourse has been under attack in Northwest Indiana. Comments unfavorable toward McDermott have been under attack on The Times message boards.

It’s a sad day in America when a newspaper has to ask a government official — a Democratic mayor — to tell workers using government computers stop censoring items on its website.

It’s another piece of evidence that shows why it is always important to not give government officials unlimited control over our lives and our businesses because they can use their control of these things to limit our freedom and liberties.  When the government feeds and takes care of people, it can also withhold those same necessities to those it does not like.  If the government is so afraid of dissent it is willing to censor its opponents, what else is it willing to do to its opposition?  Unfortunately, world history is replete with examples of the horrors that power-drunk governments commit on their citizens.

In the heart of anyone in a power position in government, there is the potential to become ultimately corrupt like King George III, Stalin, Pol Pot or Robert Mugabe.  We’re seeing this evil tendency at work right at home when government officials censor the Northwest Indiana Times’ message board in an effort to silence the opposition.

It’s just another reason why the northern part of the county continues to lose population and businesses.  Why put up with corruption, waste and now censorship when there are better places to live and work?

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Technorati Tags: censorship, corruption, Democratic Party, Hammond Indiana, Lake County, life online, Northwest Indiana Times, Thomas McDermott

… Barack Obama is essentially saying that he recognizes that this nation was built with a Christian foundation, which is significant progress for liberals we on the right should be applauding. Barack Obama further says that we should thus fight for universal Christian values. But since there is no universal Christian values book, he’s saying we should fight for the ones everybody agrees on, including the Christian Left… that doesn’t leave much besides that “Love Thy Neighbor” stuff.

In other words, if this is a Christian country, as Obama seems to be admitting to, we shouldn’t be isolating any Christians who may not agree with the likes of James Dobson by only writing Christian legislation from a very VERY narrow non-Catholic conservative perspective.

I agree 100% with that.

Having watched our society split into two polar opposite camps that seemingly will never be able to unify as one, I have to also say that I agree with Kevin Tracy that the time has come to figure out what we have in common so that we can figure out common sense solutions to our nation’s problems — instead of always fighting with each other and with the other side. Much of Congress’ inability to do anything — both the GOP and the Democrats have failed to do anything during the 2000s — stems from our leaders’ inability to look at the greater picture. Much of this myopia comes from the constant battles and hate that has been a feature of Washington politics for far too long.

Let’s focus on common goals so that we can get the things that we agree upon resolved. Once we figure out how to get on the same page, maybe Washington will be able to get things done.

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Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, Democrats, politics, religion, Republicans