Republican talking points paint false picture of Democrats. Here's the reality
Republicans have been extremely good at sticking to their "talking points," no matter how blatantly false they are. Here are some examples:
Democrats are job-killers? Since World War II, Democrats held the presidency for a total of 429 months, with 164,000 jobs per month added on average, while the Republicans were in office for 475 months, with a 61,000 jobs added per month average. This monthly average rate was 2.4 times faster under Democratic presidents (Washington Post, Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis).
Democrats cannot manage the economy? Since 1945, the GDP has grown 1.6 times faster under Democratic administrations than under Republican administrations (American Economic Review).
Democrats are out of touch with "real Americans?" Was it not real Americans who won the popular vote in 2000 and 2016, despite not achieving the White House? Was the majority who elected Biden somehow made of fake Americans?
Democrats want to "take your guns?" Democrats seek sensible gun regulation that honors the 2nd Amendment while offering some protection from mass shootings in schools and elsewhere. Republicans fight for the further unchecked proliferation of guns which kill our children in unimaginable numbers.
Democrats hate America? (See Tucker Carlson and Donald Trump). Democrats love our country enough to work for it to be the best it can be. Republicans are willing, if not eager, to overthrow our democracy.
Democrats want to cancel your culture? Republicans have decided exactly how everyone needs to behave — and are taking steps to enforce it.
Democrats promote immigration to increase their portion of the vote? Democrats actually recognize that our country has always been a "melting pot" — indeed is dependent upon immigration to supply the labor we must have. Republicans build their campaigns around fear and demonization of immigrants.
Democrats are allowing immigrants to bring increased crime and disease into our country, "poisoning the blood of our country?" Current statistics are clear that crime actually stays the same or decreases in areas with a high influx of immigrants.
Democrats promote policies that enable "illegals" to take our jobs? The only group whose employment is even slightly adversely affected by new immigrants is other immigrants who arrived earlier (National Academy of Sciences).
Democrats sponsor voter fraud? In reality, Democrats believe our country is better when everyone votes. Republicans are perfecting ever-more-effective ways of suppressing the votes of anyone they believe will not vote the "right" way. In 2023 fourteen states enacted restrictions on the right to vote.
Democrats want to support ne’er-do-wells? Democrats actually believe that decent food and housing contribute to healthy productive citizens. Fourteen states led by Republican governors have refused all federal funds to feed hungry children during the summer school vacation (AP News).
Democrats want to kill innocent babies? In truth, Democrats believe that women are competent to decide whether or not to bear a child. Republicans believe that that decision should be in the hands of the government (Pew Research Center).
Democrats hate Christianity? Jesus’ clear message of caring for the poor, accepting the outcast, rejecting hate is at home among most Democrats. Republicans demonstrate a clear preference for the retribution of Leviticus and the twisting of Scripture to condone greed and exploitation.
Democrats are "woke?" Thank you; this one is true. Republicans disregard science, history, compassion, and professionalism in favor of short-term expediency and "blissful ignorance" (Forbes magazine).
Folks, look deep. Do some of your own thinking. Try to step back enough to look at what is actually going on. If you hear a claim that seems dubious — research it. If you can do these things — you WILL vote Democrat this time — if never before and even if never again. This election is too important to base your decision on faulty reasoning and cynical propaganda.
Debbie Baugh lives in Springfield.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Republican talking points about Democrats obscure the truth
