The Democrat and Republican in you and me

As the 2008 US Presidential Election nears, I can only lament the sorry state of our political system. We don't have political parties, we have individuals with supporters who need to call their grouping a party to fulfill election requirements.

There is nothing liberal with the views of the Liberal Party. The Nacionalista Party, bought by Senator Villar is not more nationalistic than the Nationalist People's Coalition of Danding Cojuangco. At least I know that Ramos' Lakas CMD is about 'palakasan' (roughly translated as cronyism) and GMA's KAMPI party is all about 'kampihan' (us versus you). Erap's Partido ng Masang Pilipino is a party of Erap and FPJ fans. And then we have all the political leaders with their own parties, PDP-Laban, LDP, PRP, and the list continues.

I have been a member of political parties in the past... when I worked as a poll watcher in the past three elections, I had to sign the ID which basically makes me a member of the party thus eligible to be a watcher. Since my paid-poll-watching days are over, I don't think I will be a member of a political party in the future.

If I am an American, I am not sure if I will be a registered party member even if I am likely to vote for Obama, the nominee of the Democratic Party.

Democrats are generally anti-war, pro-women's rights, pro-environment, pro-choice, and pro-stem cell research. They hold the right to privacy sacred. They believe that there should be a clear separation between church and state. They favor a more interventionist government  in terms of regulation, education, and health care.

Republicans are pro-life, pro-market, pro-democracy and pro-God. They place special value to the right to bear arms. They generally advocate lower taxes, less regulation and more globalization. They are more likely to think the America is the most supreme country on earth and they should go to great lengths to promote and preserve America-type democracy. 

However, political beliefs are not strict dogmas to be followed strictly by all party members. People are not Blue Democrats and Red Republicans, there many shades of violets, purples and magentas in between. Politicians tend to be more centrist and populist as election nears. Individuals are allowed to reach across the isle and be bi-partisan to pass crucial legislation (almost all Filipino politicians vote for personal reasons and not according to party stand... party stand does not exist).

I am still in the process of assessing where I stand on several issues. I believe that there are government failures and market failures, and there should be a balance between regulation and letting the market work freely (where is that balance is very difficult to find). I believe couples should have access to reproductive health services but abortion is never an option. I think that the government should protect the environment but not to the extent that we ban all mining and logging. I believe that gun ownership should be strictly regulated. I think that it was wrong for America to act as the world's police and occupy Iraq.

Having written that... actually, I think I am leaning a bit more like a Democrat, to a certain extent... I think.

That was difficult!!! Being rational for your political views is actually very difficult.

Now I understand why people end up just saying "I don't like McCain (or Jovito Salonga), he is old" or "I'll vote for Obama (or Erap), he is handsome."