Tom --

Sorry for getting back kind of late -- I was wrestling with a really weird problem -- too boring to go into -- but resolved with help from:

_1001 Things YOu Wanted to Know about Visual FoxPro_

This is an unsolicited testimonial<s>. The "Things" are the everyday, non-trivial tasks things that we run into daily working in VFP. Well targeted, well written. A good Holiday gift from a loved one, I'd say!

Your thoughts about the philosophical inconsistencies of the Republican and Democratic platforms is really interesting! I hadn't really looked at it that way, but your concerns underscore the difference.

It seems that parties are part philosophy, and part a clan of people who feel more comfortable under that banner than under another. Each clan brings their own ideas, beliefs, and many individual beliefs and themes trickle up to the party platform.

There's a matrix that describes, but doesn't really explain or justify the difference -- on personal/social issues. As you describe it, Republicans at this point tend towards a laissez faire attitude towards social issues, and more regulation over personal issues in regard to abortion. Democrats a laissez faire attitude towards personal issues and a more regulatory or intrusive attitude towards social issues.

The question I have is how do we find a political affiliation these days when we have had a traditional association with a group but disagree with some core platform planks? If we don't find an answer to that question, we leave our politics to the special interests!

I think that abortion is one of the most troubling issues today. I think if the parties were less polarized between themselves on the issue, we might have some creative thought.



>If my view point does not agree with yours that is fine, but the remarks below are my own and just those of a Roman Catholic who happens to be a Democrat. Please keep that in mind when you read the following.

>To me there seems to be some contradiction of the beliefs of the Democratic and Republican parties hold for themselves.

>The Democratic party for many years has aimed programs at helping individuals in need or those who have not been allowed to exercise his/her rights as an American Citizen.

>The Republican party has neglected the individual in favor of big business and the “trickle down theory”. I think the concept of that theory has to do with what a male dog does on a tree.

>Here is a policy that to me does not make sense – “A Woman’s Right” or abortion. The Republicans are against abortion and the Democrats support it. I am looking at this from only the viewpoint of the basic theme, not the details behind it. I cannot rationalize why each party has an opinion towards this policy that appears to be against its basic beliefs.

>If you begin to analyze this issue it seems like more women want to have the right to have an abortion so the Democrats decided that would get them more votes. The Republicans are against abortion and it has cost them some votes. Pat Buchanan said he would leave the Republican party if they changed their view on abortion, and he left anyway.

>As a Viet Nam Vet, I remember a joke that was popular at the time I got discharged from the Air Force in October of 1967.

>There are three famous American Presidents, George Washington, who never told a lie, FDR, who never told the truth and LBJ, who could not tell the difference!

>Tom



Jay;

I enjoyed your post.

If my view point does not agree with yours that is fine, but the remarks below are my own and just those of a Roman Catholic who happens to be a Democrat. Please keep that in mind when you read the following.

To me there seems to be some contradiction of the beliefs of the Democratic and Republican parties hold for themselves.

The Democratic party for many years has aimed programs at helping individuals in need or those who have not been allowed to exercise his/her rights as an American Citizen.

The Republican party has neglected the individual in favor of big business and the “trickle down theory”. I think the concept of that theory has to do with what a male dog does on a tree.

Here is a policy that to me does not make sense – “A Woman’s Right” or abortion. The Republicans are against abortion and the Democrats support it. I am looking at this from only the viewpoint of the basic theme, not the details behind it. I cannot rationalize why each party has an opinion towards this policy that appears to be against its basic beliefs.

If you begin to analyze this issue it seems like more women want to have the right to have an abortion so the Democrats decided that would get them more votes. The Republicans are against abortion and it has cost them some votes. Pat Buchanan said he would leave the Republican party if they changed their view on abortion, and he left anyway.

As a Viet Nam Vet, I remember a joke that was popular at the time I got discharged from the Air Force in October of 1967.

There are three famous American Presidents, George Washington, who never told a lie, FDR, who never told the truth and LBJ, who could not tell the difference!

Tom