Two Parties, Two Perspectives

IC Democrats

In our ideal world, we must work together. In a utopian, democratic society, Americans realize that we must be self-sufficient, but we must also rise and fall as one nation. In the words of Barack Obama, it is a fundamental belief that “I am my brother’s keeper” and “I am my sister’s keeper.” Each member of the community has a role to play, and our diversity of strengths makes our country stronger.

In a democratic utopia, there is equal opportunity. Regardless of gender, socio-economic status, nationality, or sexual orientation, all citizens have the chance to learn, conduct business and pursue individual aspirations.  As Americans, we have the chance to make our lives what we will.

To facilitate equality of opportunity, our country is built on hard work and responsibility, not excessive greed. In our ideal world, we help the excluded and disenfranchised so every citizen has the same chance to strengthen our country and live happily. Our citizens will be physically able to pursue their desires because health care is readily available to all Americans. Supporting our health with clean-energy technologies, we drink unpolluted water and breath fresh air.

Our military is prepared to defend our borders and we are ready to support allies. We accept and celebrate that our country is made up of immigrants from all over the world. According to Democrats.org, we will bring “11 million undocumented immigrants out of the shadows and create a legal, fair and economically viable system that holds both immigrants and employers accountable and finally to ensure that our borders are safe.” And with this viable system that welcomes diverse peoples into our country, we will have a fair voting system that gives every citizen a voice.

But this is fantasy, and as supporters of the Democratic Party, we are hopeful, while knowing there is still work to be done.

– Jennifer Barish

If you would like to learn more about the Democratic Party and how you can help make this utopia a reality, join the Ithaca College Democrats for debate, conversation, and education every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the Cayuga Lake room. With guest speakers from the local political community, campaign training, and collaborative discussion, we invite all students of the IC community to add to the conversation.

IC Republicans

In a perfect world, people have the right to do whatever they want, and it would simply work out. A common belief among the Ithaca College Republicans is that the Constitution written by our forefathers provides a sufficient structure to that freedom while simultaneously protecting us from inherent evils.

If our nation had continued to follow that framework, the government would solely manage our military and international trade. These are both seemingly basic commodities directly connect to our innate desire for safety and physiological needs. If these were the sole two tasks of the federal government, and if they were funded and conducted efficiently, the rest would be left up to the various states and to each individual. Restricted immigration would be handled on a smaller scale by the states, and it would be faster and easier for people who desired it to have access to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness through citizenship.

The economy would be a perfect free market and anybody with motivation and dedication would have ample opportunity to be economically successful. The officials who we choose would be honest and only serve our best interests. In a perfect world, civil rights would be implicit and people would be able to love who they want to and share the culture they inherit without biases or discrimination.

The term “Republican” has a negative connotation at Ithaca College and in many other places in the country. The thing is — there is no Republican who wishes to deny anybody of their natural born rights. We wholly trust that our Constitution gives more than it takes away, and we need only to follow our forefathers’ composition in order to live freely and safely among each other. In our ideal society, everyone around the world would have access to these rights if they followed a few rules, which only exist to make the country run more systematically.

With only these few rules in place, much more freedom is given to citizens of different ethnicities, cultures and political stances to live the lifestyle they choose. With too much regulation in place, everyone is forced to live a certain way. People constantly search for a simpler life. What is simpler than the freedom of being in control of yourself that has been won, fought for and preserved for over a century?

– Jason Emry & Stephanie Czajkowski

IC Republicans meets Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. in Friends 302. If you are curious about politics, our individual opinions, or wish to voice yours, stop by a meeting. New members are always welcome.