The Party of the Poor

One of the most common—and infuriating—misperceptions about Republicans is that we don’t care about the poor. Since I first became “public” about my Republican affiliation and active in Republican politics many years ago, I’ve taken jab after jab from my Democratic friends (particularly those who share my Christian faith) for being an “uncaring” Republican because of this lie that’s fed to the American people.

Frankly, I’m fed up with this conversation. We need to change it. I’m tired of asking my Democratic friends the same questions only to have them come up with excuse after excuse after excuse (most having to do with George Bush). I’m tired of not getting adequate answers to questions like these:

—Is denying parents the choice of where to send their kids to school when those families live in a failing school district showing compassion for the poor? Especially when we know what a huge factor education is in combating poverty?

—Is funneling tax dollars meant for the education of our children through layers of public school administrators who can make as much as $400,000 a year showing compassion for the poor?

—Is putting the interest of the teacher’s union ahead of those people who can best educate our children—not to mention the children themselves!—showing compassion for the poor?

—Is taking away workers money via pay roll taxes to fund social security with the promise that at best your money will receive a negative 1% rate of return showing compassion for the poor?

—Does increasing taxes and eliminating the deductibility of our charitable donations—as President Obama wants to do—help the poor? Does it feed hungry people or simply the egos of power-hungry public “servants” who need dependent people to keep them in office?

I could go on and on with examples of ways the Democrats claim to help the poor, but only deliver more waste. But the truth is more than pointing out the lunacy of the Democratic positions on “caring for the poor,” we as Republicans need to be pro-active in our talk about how we as a party of small government and individual liberties are about freedom and equality and equal access to the American Dream—for everyone. Everyone.

It is through the private—not public—sphere that the poor are helped best. Big government initiatives only exacerbate poverty and trap American people. We need to keep fighting for lower taxes for American families and businesses—to reward hard work as this country always has!

We need to fight for great schools for our kids—not by bowing to teachers unions, but by standing up for the kids and their parents to get the education each of them (not simply the rich) deserves and needs to thrive.

We need to support and encourage the generosity of the American people who gladly and freely give out of their own pockets to support the many amazing non-profits who change lives—more than government ever could.

I am a Republican and I care about the poor. I know you do too. So let’s stop the Democratic discourse in its track and start showing our friends what caring for the poor really looks like.