Republicans and Democrats will never see eye to eye; but sometimes they appear to be living in different galaxies.
1. The I.R.S.
Republican: The Republican led House wants to cut the I.R.S. budget by $3 billion--24% below what was just approved in March. The idea is to punish them for targeting Tea Party groups. Of course, the "targeting" was not really targeting at all, but only a simple, though misguided, way to treat all groups claiming the same aims in an equal manner. But, this is Republican leadership that we're talking about, so if they can't have an I.R.S. scandal, they'll castigate them anyway to prove a point--even if their point is non-existent. The budget also puts 10% of the enforcement budget in a holding fund until the I.R.S. complies with House recommendations to prevent further abuse of power.
Democrat: The Democratic majority in the Senate gave the I.R.S. a $1.3 billion increase in their budget.
2. The Minimum Wage and Health Care
Republican: The Fraser Institute, funded by the Koch brothers, published a study recently on "economic freedom", a quality of life issue. It concluded that, while the U.S. used to lead the world in this category, we have fallen to sixth place behind Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Switzerland and Chile. Each of the five countries rated ahead of us provides government paid health care--which the Koch brothers and the Republican Party vehemently oppose. Furthermore, the Koch brothers are pushing for the elimination of minimum wage laws, claiming that they are hurting businesses and slowing hiring.
Democrat: Democrats believe that the path to economic freedom begins with having a job that pays a living wage. They are pushing to raise the federal minimum wage beyond its current 20th Century level.
I don't think I have to explain the Democratic position on government health care.
3. Business Banking
Republican: The Export-Import Bank is a federally regulated bank created to provide loans and loan guarantees to private corporations to help them with exporting their products or services. There are six voting members on the board who are appointed by the President. By law, no more than three can be of any one party and all loans must be approved by at least three members. Currently, the board is short one Democratic member. Fred Hochberg, President Obama's nominee for the position, has been approved by the Senate Banking Committee by a vote of 20-2. Senate Republicans are threatening to block his nomination in a full Senate vote. The usually business-friendly Republican Party's reasoning is interesting: They are claiming that by blocking his nomination and leaving the position unfilled they will be seen as anti-corporate welfare and thus more appealing to Democratic and Independent voters.
Democrat: They would like to fill the position so the bank can function properly, help business and create jobs. I see this issue as an example of political role reversal.
To re-parse John Gray's 1993 best selling book title: Republicans are from Mars, Democrats are from Venus.
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