THEPATRIOTJOURNAL.COM published a new entry entitled "Parties And Ideologies" on 8/4/2010 10:21:00 AM, written by Michael Spence.

Parties And Ideologies

Many people ask me to explain the differences between Democrats, Republicans, leftists, Marxists, Conservatives and Libertarians just to name a few. I love it when people ask these questions because it means they are willing to learn rather than simply exist in an ignorant bubble like alot of people in America. I don't use the word "ignorant" as a slur, it is sadly the truth among a large bloc of our population. I don't believe I am smarter than everyone else or that I have finished learning. I simply want to pass on what I have learned, because an educated and involved electorate will make better choices which in turn will make a better country for all of us.

I am a naturally skeptical person, so if someone is educating me, I listen first, then I verify the information on my own using multiple sources that I trust. I also research the feasibility of the information to make sure that even if it sounds good in theory it also works in practice. That is what I expect of all of you. In order to know if an idea works, you must know how the system works. This is imperative to know in government. If you don't know the differences between the Secretary of State and the Senate, it is going to be hard for you to understand the differences in parties and ideologies. I am assuming you all have a respectable, civics 101 knowledge, of the workings of the U.S. government. If you don't, write an e-mail with your questions and I will answer them.

Ideologies are simply ways of thinking. There are two dominate ideologies that exist today in politics, Conservative and Progressive/Liberal. Conservatives believe that human beings are happier and more productive when they are more free and have a government that adheres to the powers given it by the people. Progressives/Liberals believe in an all giving, all taking, powerful government. These definitions are only the basic differences. I could write and entire encyclopedia on the individual issue differences and the many branches of each side, but for the sake of brevity, and not to confuse those that do not know, I am sticking with the basics.

The modern Democrat party was started somewhere around 1828 by Andrew Jackson and his following. On his shoulders, as a hero of the War of 1812, it grew quickly in power. By 1840 the Democrat party platform, sadly, was the defense of slavery. The Republican party was formed in 1854 by Conservative, slavery abolitionists in opposition to the Democrats. The first Republican president was Abraham Lincoln and as everyone knows it was he that ended slavery. The Democrat party spent 50 years as the minority until the Progressive era of the early 1900's. From Theodore Roosevelt on, there has been a slow progression to centralize power in Washington and remove state's and personal rights. This is the reason why I am here and fighting.

Progressives/Liberals, Marxists, Socialists and Communists are all on the side of powerful central government control over all aspects of society and personal life. The former Soviet Union and present day Cuba are prime examples of this. I like to use the term leftists because they are all the same to me. Leftists do not believe in the sanctity of private property and liberty. They are willing to give up both, for power and the mythical goal of societal perfection and social justice. "Social Justice" is a common phrase they use and is code for wealth redistribution. These people are the Democrat party. If you vote for a Democrat in any election you are getting one of these people that will try everything in their power to advance these principles.

Conservatives, and Libertarians are in opposition to the leftists in nearly every category, and are constantly fighting to defend the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The differences between Conservatives and Libertarians are mainly social issues but are insignificant enough to be in agreement to oppose the Democrats.

The Republican party used to always be the party of Lincoln and the strict Founding Fathers constructionist/traditionalist party. However, Progressives/Liberals disguised as traditional Republicans have infiltrated the party and have caused havoc throughout its existence. This has happened many times before but today the infestation is epidemic. There is good news as of late though, the Tea Party movement is taking it upon itself to purge the Republican party of the parasites that are Republicans In Name Only.

The two parties are simply old supply routes used to get to Washington. They are networks and brand names that have been in place for a couple of centuries now. They still both stand for what they always have but you must be involved in order to make sure the brands contrast, and have the candidates represent the brand they are using. If you let others decide for you, you will usually end up not liking the result. It is up to us to make the Republican brand really mean "Conservative". We must help the Tea Party restore the party of Lincoln and Reagan. Conservatism, when used in government always works. Leftists ideals have never worked ever.