Why I Am Not A Political Ideologue

This blogger has previously posted on how political science, and the other social sciences. are not like the "hard" sciences, thus adhering dogmatically to a particular point of view in these areas may not be wise (see here). Following are some of the reasons why this blogger resists the temptation to be labeled as a member of a particular US political party.

 The extremes

History has shown adequately to this blogger that the extreme "right" or "left" should be avoided. The Libertarian Party, at its "individualistic" extremes, advocates anarchy and laissez faire capitalism. The Socialists/Communists, at their "collectivistic" extremes, advocate total government control of the means of production and private property. Whenever a society has adopted either of these extremes it has suffered, in this blogger's reading of history.

Republicans vs Democrats

Presently, these two political parties are the game in the USA. From a practical standpoint, a third party has no chance of succeeding, You Socialists, Communists, Libertarians, Tea Partiers and others --- deal with it!! Following are some of the reasons this blogger has a hard time aligning with one party:

• Republicans favor free enterprise but have fostered a big business advantage through lobbying of the government and buying of influence, although the Democrats have also allowed themselves to be beholden by big business to some extent.
• Democrats have used inefficient government programs in attempting to improve education and the plight of the poor.
• Republicans have historically emphasized small, efficient and fiscally responsible government but have failed frequently in carrying out these ideals in practice.
• Democrats have favored individual rights but have not always focused on individual responsibility and respect for others.
• Republicans have promoted respect for life through anti-abortion efforts but have not been consistent because of promotion of war efforts and the death penalty. In addition, the extremists of this party deny the nuances of when personhood begins, as well as the right of an individual to end his or her own life.
• Democrats have promoted reproductive rights for women but have not advocated as strongly for the rights of the fetus. At the extremes, this party allows for the ending of the life of a fetus even after biological personhood and/or viability has been achieved.
• Republicans harbor religious, anti-science extremists, some of whom wish for the USA to be a theocracy. 
• Although the Republicans have allowed themselves to be virtually highjacked by religious and anti-science extremists, Democrats harbor their own anti-science fringe, such as anti-GMO and animal rights ideologes, as well a high percentage of "New Age"/alternative medicine individuals, some of whom wish for the government and/or health insurance companies to pay for these unproven methods.
• Republicans usually are more supportive of the military but do not look at how efficiently it is conducted and tend to use it as a first-line response to threats.
• Democrats usually are less supportive of military intervention, even is cases where it may be the most conservative option.
  
• Democrats favor unions, which have a history of improving the lot of the middle class. However, Republicans have a point regarding the impact of public service unions and the effect that unions have had on education and private businesses.
• Republicans favor "consumerism" at the expense of the environment. Democrats favor "environmentalism" at the expense of the economy.
  
• Both the Republicans and Democrats "cherry-pick" the portions of the US Constitution they favor.
• Both the Republicans and Democrats have their share of haters and individuals with violent tendencies. Granted, presently there may be more on the political right but historically there have been periods where the political left was more guilty in this area.

In closing

When humans were nomadic hunters and gatherers, there was no need for personal property and there was no stratification of individual status. Some argue that this was a better time for humanity (see here). However, from a practical standpoint, it is this blogger's opinion that we are presently forced to deal with the necessity of some form of government that facilitates the greatest good for the greatest number. Both the Republicans and Democrats have ideas that positively and negatively influence this goal.

Politics inherently has compromise in its function. Taking the best of what both sides have to say seems to be the most reasonable thing to do.