Rant & Rave

By Warren A. Kaneshiro

Tuesday, April 9, 1996

This is what I'd get: "Huh? ... swing that by me one more time?

Joe got a mental picture of my total being at the split second I uttered the word Republican. See, Joe now thinks I have no common sense and hold no love for those less fortunate than me. Add to that his stereotype that I possess a one-track mind as someone constantly willing to force my beliefs and values upon other souls whom I know nothing of; beliefs such as anti-abortion, etc.

Joe also assumes that I wish, like my fellow Republican counterparts, to cut every vital program aimed to assist the elderly, the working class and the feeble.

And finally, he imagines that I am like my political party's emblem, the elephant: it is the largest creature on land, therefore I act like it, stomping on those who are diminutive in my view.

On the other hand, "left" hand, that is, If I were to mention that I am a Democrat, a liberal Democrat, to a Republican "Jane," I'd get, "A Democrat!? ... Yuck!" Then Jane, like Joe, would jump to certain conclusions about my total being.

Jane now thinks of me as nontraditional. She imagines that I run free with no personal limitations, that I encourage the murder of innocent fetuses who never had a chance at life, that I am a free-spender with no concern for future generations that will feel the harsh effects of my legacy.

And Jane, in conclusion, states that I am like my political party's emblem, the donkey: a stubborn-headed, ignorant creature.

SO how can I win? Shall I keep my endorsement of a political party to myself, unless I am in a life-threatening situation?
Not to throw anyone off course, but just because a person says he or she is a Democrat or Republican, does not necessarily mean he or she agrees with what every Republican or Democratic leader stands by or says. Pat Buchanan and Newt Gingrich for example. Many of their fellow Republicans and loyal supporters do not agree with their highly extreme and sometimes laughable views. Likewise for Bill Clinton (except his view are too moderate).

And who knows, I could believe strongly in the Republican party; yet believe that our nation's current spending spree should remain as is. Or I could be a Democrat, believing my party's plans for cutting only a scant fragment of our nation's budget is naive and should be greater. In other words, I could be a conservative Democrat or liberal Republican.

Through all this political smog, I have an idea. I'll follow in the footsteps of one of those noticeable figures who do not give the slightest clue as to what political party they endorse, someone like Larry King, perhaps, who can tells a Democrat and Republican he or she is his "favorite" and keep a straight face.

Don't get me wrong, I'll never withdraw from a worthwhile debate. I just found that when it comes down to a debate regarding one's political party, it can be an ongoing process. It's like speaking to a skeptic about religion: You believe strongly in whomever your god may be. The skeptic is not convinced.

You give convincing examples. The skeptic is skeptical.

Sigh. I look at the arguments over one's choice in political party and see a stalemate. The argument is simply a vicious and complicated cycle going nowhere and reaching no conclusion, and no one really wins.