What do you fear?

Why do Democrats (naïve) support both pro-choice policies and higher taxes? Why are Republicans (selfish) against both gun control and safe-sex education?

Indeed, Democrats (naïve) and Republicans (selfish) tend to side oppositely in the same fashion on most issues. If a candidate for an elected office were in favor of affirmative action and universal health care we would also expect them to be in support of stricter environmental policy. Why? What packages these three issues so that they should go together?

It all boils down to TRUST and FEAR.

Republicans (selfish) are scared of people and love money and Democrats (naïve) are scared of money and love people. Republicans (selfish) may be the "laissez faire" party, but this has to be put in perspective. Republicans (selfish) may be "laissez faire" in terms of business, but they are the first to tell Americans what morals to have and how to live their lives.

Now I think the first readers to object to this statement will be Republican (selfish) students who are thinking, "Listen moron, I love people too." My response is, "But do you trust/love them more than money?" The question for everyone is: Which do you fear more?

Example One. Looking at sexual education, we can gain a lot of insight into what people are scared of. In general, Republican (selfish) politicians and constituents favor abstinence-only education (at least that is what they vote for). Research has shown for over a decade that abstinence-only education is ineffective, while safe sex programs that teach about contraception and protection reduce STD transmission and teenage pregnancy. An objective, rational person (economist) would choose the one that reduces morbidity if neither program increases sexual activity. In this case Republicans (selfish) are willing to spend billions of dollars a year nationwide (in health care costs, etc.) to continue preaching abstinence. This relates to the trust/fear model very clearly. Democrats (naïve) trust students more than Republicans (selfish) to make the right decisions if given the right tools. Republicans (selfish) assume that given any tools, the students will wreak havoc.

Example Two. The debate over gun control. Republicans (selfish), being scared of people, want to have guns to defend themselves. They are worried about that random black man who will try to sneak into their house late at night and steal all their money. So they keep automatic assault rifles in the house unlocked and loaded (the way children like to find them). The Republicans (selfish) don't want to lose their money and they are scared of people taking it. Whereas Democrats (naïve) are not scared that someone will take their money, they don't understand why Republicans (selfish) want guns everywhere, especially considering how this leads to so many homicides, suicides, injuries and accidents each year.

Example Three. Taxes. Republicans (selfish) want low taxes to protect their money. Democrats (naïve) want higher taxes to protect the people. Our current President (Republican (selfish)) cuts taxes, which of course cuts social services (but not military spending). After all, who do you trust more with your paycheck — your broker or the guy with two jobs and no health care (even if he does work at your company)?

Ok, ok. I know I may have exaggerated a little bit, not all Republicans (selfish) own guns and not all Democrats (naïve) are in favor of teaching kids about condoms, but the trust/fear model holds true very frequently.

We trust what we know. We fear the unknown. If you never leave your bubble and aren't familiar with the real world (the real world being the masses — or the 90% of the country without a Mercedes) you probably will be scared of what the outside holds.

Although along the continuum of trust/fear most people are probably towards the middle (somewhat weary and trustful of both people and money) I would lobby that there is a correct side to the trust/fear debate. Placing faith in people will always win in the long run. Humans aren't perfect, but if we stop believing in ourselves and our neighbors then the planet is more than doomed.

If you are feeling dragged down by the money side of things, I would suggest meeting some new people. Although there are tons of great people on campus, off campus has a lot of shine as well. You don't even have to go down Route 1. A five-minute walk can open doors to a whole new world.