Random comments I made on
Slow Boring post: about Everything Bagels.The Democrats biggest problem
I am not sure that climate/industrial/Union/equity is the Democrats biggest everything bagel problem.
If I were a Democrat, I’d be more concerned about catering to their various demographic groups. White College graduates, black men and women, LGBTQ supporters, Hispanics, the Poor, while maintaining coherent policies.
Republicans have the same problems. They are increasingly building their support among working class of all Races while trying to cater to the Rich (who socially are increasingly liberal).
Where Republicans have an advantage is they don’t pretend to offer the working class any concrete benefits but instead concentrate on social issues in which their are fewer financial trade offs, allowing them to continue to cut spending and lower taxes.
Democrats have a much more difficult needle to thread.
On abortion
So, I have a story. My wife had an abortion at the age of 20. She now regrets it. Would make a different decision. (She isn’t anti-choice it’s a personal thing).
This brings to bear something a lot of people don’t think about. Some percentage of abortions are out of conveniences. In other words the child if born would turn out just fine.
Given that Matt just talked about trade offs.
I posit that there will be some children born in the future who wouldn’t have. Kids who parents live them. Who grow up to be successful.
Now there will also be kids who are born into poverty whose parents lives are materially worse off.
My personal philosophy is to have less restrictions so in that way I am more pro-choice, but at the same time I believe in Federalism in which states should be able to govern in their own way.
But I also think that it’s naive to pretend that there will be zero good outcomes from abortion restrictions. The real question is will there be more bad outcomes?
Remember, I have raised 8-daughters. One of my daughters is struggling because she is a single mother.
I am a personal pro-lifer. To the extent that I am against the death penalty (no I am not religious).
But at the same time, I am pro morning after pill. I’ve have driven to Oregon to pick up for daughters before.
Given all my conflicting views on this issue, I’ve come down on the side of Democracy. If people elect bad politicians who make bad laws, then they will be replaced.
I also acknowledge that I am not a woman.
I may delete this comment. I do not want to degrade anyone who feels passionately on this issue. Just explain why I personally am not passionate about it.
You expressed well the various advantages and disadvantages of Democrats and Republicans. Being able to change bad politicians who pass bad laws is just what we need. Thank you, it was interesting to read.