True North

"Republicans and Democrats are all the same."

How many times have we heard disenchanted citizens say that in recent years? Sadly, in some cases it was true as Republicans in power slowly abandoned their conservative principles and voters, tired of business-as-usual, handed the reigns of government to liberal Democrats in St. Paul on Election Day 2006. Since then, however, Republicans have learned from their mistakes and the difference between conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats has become crystal clear.

These differences can be found in virtually every major issue remaining in this session.

In education, Democrats have pursued an agenda that spends more money with less accountability and less parental control. They propose taking money out of the Performance Pay for Teachers accountability program and giving it to schools without any accountability. Republicans, on the other hand, believe the key to a successful education system rests with the decisions of parents. Rather than pulling the rug out from under accountability and reform, we want to strengthen it.

To protect the environment, the Democrats plan takes a hard turn to the left, proposing regulations and mandates that threaten to push our utility bills beyond affordability and drive away some of our largest employers. Even more outrageous is their plan to let politicians and bureaucrats in California set some of these regulations. Republicans view the vast innovative ability of the marketplace as the key to developing new technologies that reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

On no issue is the difference between the two parties more apparent than it is on health care. Simply put, Democrats proposal puts the government in control over which doctor you go to, when you can go and what will happen to you once you get there. Minnesota's Republicans think government has no business making your health care decisions for you and have proposed a free-market driven solution.

All of these clear differences are rooted in the philosophical difference over who your money belongs to. Republicans think money belongs first to those individuals and families who earn it. Democrats view it as the key to an ever-expanding government who's role it is to redistribute the wealth and help people. One view ensures maximum freedom and minimal governmental control of citizens' lives; the other doesn't. Our nation's founding fathers were wise enough to know that government does not grant freedom, it takes it away. We would do well to keep that in mind when it comes to taxes, spending and the continual intrusion of government into our every decision.