What I Appreciate about Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Independents, and Greens …

All parties have their weaknesses, to be sure, some quite glaring. But all have virtues too. Here are three for each.

1. Republicans, at their best,
A. Emphasize individual responsibility
B. Are sensitive to the dangers of unaccountable government
C. Are concerned about the long-term consequences of growing debt
2. Democrats, at their best,
A. Emphasize social responsibility
B. Are sensitive to the dangers of unaccountable corporations
C. Are concerned about the long-term consequences of growing inequality
3. Libertarians, at their best,
A. Emphasize personal liberty
B. Are sensitive to the dangers of government intrusion
C. Are concerned about the long-term consequences of growing government bureaucracy
4. Independents, at their best,
A. Emphasize critical thinking
B. Are sensitive to the dangers of unaccountable political parties
C. Are concerned about the long-term consequences of growing ideological polarization
5. Greens, at their best,
A. Emphasize global and environmental responsibility
B. Are sensitive to the dangers of ungoverned, greed-based economies
C. Are concerned about the long-term consequences of unexamined value systems
Are you thinking what I’m thinking?
(If you can improve this short list, please leave comments over at my facebook page. Thanks!)