Democrats Morph Into Mommie Dearest Party

Political commentators have often observed that our two political parties fulfill different parental roles. Strong on security and national defense, the Republican Party is seen as the Daddy Party. Like many fathers, the Republicans have tended to stress fiscal restraint and individual responsibility. When the country is threatened by external forces or by those who would do us mischief, Americans often gravitate toward Republican leadership.

But when turmoil bubbles from within, when Americans hurt, or have been denied something they want or need, they turn to the Democrats for reassurances that Mommy, with love and kindness, can fix everything. When it comes to making her charges happy (especially those who vote), money is no object for Mommy.

And in an odd sort of way, this two-party arrangement has worked. As parents do in many marriages, the Republicans and Democrats took turns on who filled the good cop and bad cop roles. As a result, the entire family benefited. Americans could rely on Mommy and Daddy each filling their usual roles and balancing each other out.

Of late, however, it's beginning to look like this is one marriage in big trouble. Both political parties have become dysfunctional and the family is suffering.

Daddy seems to have undergone some sort of emotional crisis. At first, he became confused as to what his role was in the family. Sometimes, he tried to fill Mommy's role as the generous provider of entitlements -- and other times he was viewed by Mommy as a great big bully.

As a result, Daddy has been banished from the House (and just about every other branch of government), by the children who heeded Mommy's urgings that Daddy must go. Of course, Mommy's best friend and ever-supportive sidekick, Liberal Media, was quick to back her up by pointing out Daddy's many failings to the children.

The last anyone has heard of Daddy, he was wandering about on some navel-gazing mission, wailing to be heard, and desperately trying to find himself.

Poor Mommy, a bit overwhelmed with her new role as single parent -- and dizzy with the idea of having the complete run of the house and the family budget -- seems to have morphed into "Mommie Dearest." This is one mother on a spending binge and out to win the undying gratitude (and votes) of her children.

What a good and generous provider she imagines herself to be as she busily runs up every credit card in the house. Those children who are involved enough to be aware of the family's fiscal status -- and worry that she is spending too much -- are told to hush and let Mommy worry about it.

And as in many dysfunctional and estranged marriages, with Daddy gone, Mommy makes it a point that her children hear on a daily basis how terrible Daddy really is. Besides being a bully, he denies health care to little children and doesn't care if people lose their homes and starve on the streets.

When Daddy ran things, he was so mean and aggressive that he ran off all their friends. And, Daddy, who always claims to be so morally superior, has played around a little. He has completely lost his bearings. When poor, generous Mommy -- willing to overlook their differences -- asks him to help out or agree to Mommy's plans to fix things, all Daddy can ever say is no, no, no.

And with that, the Republican Party has become known as the party of "NO!" Pro-Democratic pundits are quick to point out that the rudderless, leaderless GOP has no ideas of its own to offer and no desire to work with the Democrats. (Granted, with the overwhelming numbers in both the House and Senate -- and control of the White House -- the Democrats' idea of the GOP "working with" them is for Republicans to agree to everything the Dems want. Compromise is unnecessary.)

But, isn't an occasional no necessary? To carry the metaphor just a tad further: Every parent who has tried to raise responsible children knows that there are days when the word no seems to be the only dialogue one has with the little darlings. We've had to stand firm despite hearing how heartless and cruel we are because we've said no. And how many times have we said no only to be told that we are so unfair -- Sweden's and Canada's parents always say yes?

Children who are given everything they ask for tend to become spoiled and indolent. Sometimes saying no is the only right answer. And so it must be for those few Republicans left in Congress. They must continue to stand strong and continue to offer compromises and alternative plans. This is no time to adopt a "if you can't beat them, join them" mentality.

As for the rest of the GOP: To those who are wandering about looking for a leader -- please, find someone fast. Mommy is hanging out with some pretty radical friends and is considering making some major purchases. You need to find your fiscally conservative roots and get home pronto.

Contact Robin Beres at (804) 649-6305 or .