Oct 21, 2018 6 min read

In less than three weeks this nation will go to the polls for a very important election, possibly second only to the 2016 presidential election.

While thousands of candidates will stand on a myriad of issues, they all go to what the future of this nation will be. At a macro level, we will become one of two things: an authoritarian socialism, as proposed by the Democrats, or we will become a Constitutional Republic, as advocated by Republicans.

Let’s unpack these two positions a bit. Regardless of what an individual candidate promises, he or she is part of a larger political party and thereby part of one of two very distinct ideologies represented by those parties. Therefore, a vote for any individual candidate is, in reality, a vote for an ideology.

Let us first examine the Democratic ideology. The Democratic Party believes in Big Government, top-down control, expansive, and hugely expensive social programs, suffocating regulation of business and high taxes to pay for all the largess. They believe that taxes are an income redistribution mechanism. They do not believe in the rule of law and believe the Constitution to be more a flexible guideline than the foundational cornerstone of our nation. They believe that the judicial system is just an extension of the political system and available to create law where elected legislators refuse to go. They favor open borders and blanket amnesty for illegal aliens, not necessarily out of humanitarian concern but because hordes of immigrants provide a refillable and expanding voter base. They oppose religious practice, often under the misunderstood guise of the First Amendment, and oppose traditional family values. They believe and practice identity politics. They believe that society is more important than the individual. Democrats oppose many constitutional rights such as the Second Amendment and the First Amendment rights of free speech, freedom of religion and due process. Democrats believe in equal outcome over equal opportunity and believe it is the government’s job to see outcomes are equal. Generally, the government knows best and will control the citizens.

The Republican ideology is one based on the rule of law and the Constitution. The people run the country, not the government, so government can and should be much smaller and much less invasive in our lives. Republicans believe that personal liberty is paramount. Republicans believe in traditional family values. Republicans believe that business owners and citizens know better how to spend their money than the government. They believe that less regulation is better. They believe that immigration should be restricted to those who enter this nation legally. They oppose blanket amnesty. They believe in national security from immigration to a strong military. They believe taxes should be lower and fund predominately constitutionally mandated items. Republicans believe in an energy policy that makes the U.S. energy independent. They support the Second Amendment. They believe in the First Amendment rights to free speech, freedom of religion and due process. Republicans believe we are guaranteed equal opportunity, not equal outcome.

How have these opposing ideologies been demonstrated?

Under President Obama this nation experienced the weakest economic recovery in modern history. He stated that 2 percent GDP growth was all that could be expected; it was the new normal. The economy was at a standstill when Obama left office. Business optimism was on a declining trend. Unemployment was nearly 5 percent. Business was smothered by job-killing regulations. Several very unfavorable trade agreements Obama negotiated were hurting foreign trade. The nation’s debt had doubled to nearly $20 trillion. Obamacare and entitlement spending fueled much of the increase. Another contributor was Obama’s $787 billion American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. In fairness, military spending was high because of military involvement in the Mideast.

Under President Trump, this nation has experienced unparalleled progress. He passed a tax reform bill that helps all Americans and drives a vibrant economy. Unemployment, at 3.7 percent, is at a historically low level. Blacks, Hispanics, youth and women’s unemployment are all at record low levels. GDP growth is headed over 4.2 percent. Three-and-a-half-million new jobs have been created. The stock market is at record levels. He has strengthened our trade agreements. He has strengthened our military. He has greatly improved the care our veterans receive. Wages are rising, and workers have more money in their paychecks. He has appointed two outstanding constitutionalist Supreme Court Justices and 84 constitutionalist federal judges. Food stamp use is at its lowest level in seven years. In other words, this country is doing well. Of course, Democrats aren’t happy because this puts lie to their entire premise of big government and socialism.

So which is it to be in the coming election? Big government, job-suffocating regulation, high taxes, less money for the worker, a party in control that is lurching further and further left and a nation flooded by illegal immigrants? Or a constitutional government, personal freedom, a vibrant economy, low unemployment, national security, secure boarders, energy independence, a strong foreign policy and a strong military?

As we go to the polls, these are the choices.

The Democrats promise budget-busting single-payer health care in which our medical choices are determined for us; increased minimum wage, which will kill entry-level jobs and increase unemployment; repealing the Trump tax cuts that have created our current outstanding economy and replace it with business-killing high taxes; debt-free college, which will be another trillion-dollar entitlement boondoggle; another $1 trillion infrastructure plan, which is a payoff to unions and “friends of the party” at taxpayer expense, and military cuts that will weaken the nation.

Republicans will continue the constitutional, free-market, economically vibrant nation we see today.

If you are ready to give up prosperity, freedom and independence, that’s what the Democrats promise. If you like a prosperous and secure nation and like winning, the Republicans are the choice.

It’s up to you. You are voting for your future.

Dave Ball is vice chairman of the Washington County Republican Party and a Peters Township councilman.