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Dave
| | Posted on Thursday, May 9, 2002 - 11:10 am: |     |
From George Berkeley: "What statement do think one makes when they say that they are a Democrat, and what does it mean when a candidate says that they are a Republican? " |
Artchristensen
| | Posted on Saturday, May 11, 2002 - 2:06 pm: | |
I'm not sure, but it sounds like they're probably looking for an argument.... |
Fredprofeta
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 29, 2002 - 4:24 pm: | |
What statement do you think one makes when they say they are a Democrat, and what does it mean when a candidate says that they are a Republican?
There are real differences between Democrats and Republicans, especially when the issues in question pertain to state and national government. Democrats rightly tend to focus on social justice, intervention by the public sector where appropriate, and causes such as environmental protection. Republicans tend to focus on lower taxes, law and order, and free-market solutions to economic-related problems. Since college, my voting record has been overwhelmingly Democratic, especially on the state and national levels. I will vote for moderate Republicans whose views comport with mine, as has Ms. Leventhal.
My opponent's responses to this question do not address the meaning of Democratic/Republican "labels" on the local level. And although they both correctly pay tribute to the Democratic party's affection for "diversity of thought and opinion", they fail to address the fact that our present Democratic Township Committee is not noted for such diversity. In my responses to questions no. 3 and 4, I have discussed our present Committee's diminishment of public input and the "communication gap" between it and Maplewood residents that has resulted. Far from incorporating diversity of thought, the present Township Committee votes in unison on almost every matter that comes before it. An inspection of the available Township Committee minutes for 2001 demonstrates that the Committee was unanimous in its voting on all but one ordinance relating to licensing fees, as to which Celia King dissented.
In large legislatures, the differences between Democrats and Republicans are very meaningful. Without party-line discipline, legislatures tend to devolve into chaos - we see examples of that around the world. As a result, American legislators tend to coalesce around certain traditional Democratic and Republican views, some of which I set forth earlier in this response. However, in Maplewood, with its five-member Township Committee, unanimity of view serves no useful function, and only tends to hinder healthy debate and the presentation of constructive alternatives. With respect to Maplewood, the traditional Republican emphasis on lower taxes is no less important to the town than the traditional Democratic emphasis on social justice for all. We need to be flexible enough to evaluate solutions by a single standard - what is best for Maplewood? |
Artchristensen
| | Posted on Thursday, May 30, 2002 - 7:09 am: | |
Thank you Fred. I could not say it any better myself....
We need to be flexible enough to evaluate solutions by a single standard - what is best for Maplewood?
That being said, I will take my leave until after the Primary and leave the four of you to work out your differences. Good luck and best wishes to all. |
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