Believe it or not, modern Texas Democrats and Republicans have more in common than you’d think.
Political parties are always changing, but on both sides, there is a deep distrust of the establishment. A belief that politicians cannot be trusted. That government has become disconnected from the needs of ordinary people.
Both sides recognize that something in America is deeply broken. Both feel that our system no longer serves ordinary people the way it should.
The divide is how modern Republicans and Democrats propose to heal our nation’s mind, body, and spirit.
On the mind - our economy -
Republicans blame immigration, both legal and illegal, for declining wages, rising insecurity, and pressure on public systems. They believe deportations and reduced immigration will make the country safer and more prosperous. They also blame “the lazy,” folks who apparently prefer handouts to hard work.
Democrats blame the unchecked consolidation of wealth and power. They argue that the growing influence of billionaires and giant corporations has hollowed out the middle class and widened the gap between the wealthy and everyone else.
On the body - our government -
Republicans want to get the government out of the way. They blame fraud, waste, and abuse. They paint the picture that somewhere there is a “gray suit” getting rich off our tax dollars, or somebody ineptly bloating our agencies. Elon Musk’s DOGE was the perfect example of this.
Conversely, Democrats want to fix the government so it can do its job. They blame the growing influence of big money and special interests in politics. They argue that politicians increasingly answer to donors like Elon Musk, lobbyists, and corporations instead of voters. They push for systematic reforms like term limits, overturning Citizens United, anti-gerrymandering measures, and stronger ethics laws.
On the spirit - our values -
Republicans increasingly push that America as a nation fundamentally shaped by Christian values and traditions. They believe those traditions should remain visible in public life and civic culture. This is how you end up with a push for the Ten Commandments in schools and Bible readings by the President.
Democrats believe America’s strength comes from pluralism: our immigrant heritage, religious freedom, and diversity. They believe those principles are what make the country uniquely American. This is also how you sometimes end up with an overemphasis on identity politics.
In conclusion:
Modern Republicans often frame immigrants, other cultures, religions, and “bureaucrats” as the source of America’s problems, while Democrats believe that the real problem is the “Epstein class” and its grip over government.
In our imperfect two-party system, these are the choices in front of Texas voters.
Although I have plenty of Republican friends, I’m a Democrat because, based on my lived experience with other cultures and my work with the federal government, I just don’t “buy” the Republican version.
Most people want a hand-up, not a handout. Most people who come to this country want real freedom. They want to live in peace and work hard. Most people don’t want to perpetuate fraud and risk getting audited, imprisoned or deported. And almost everybody who works in government, be it the military, the VA, DHS, or elsewhere, is a humble patriot who isn’t making a big paycheck. They aren’t in it for the money.
As you decide who to vote for, I’d ask you to put party labels aside and look at your own lived experience and determine what approach makes the most sense to you.
Most Americans are tired of division, corruption, war, outrage, debt, distrust, and a system that feels increasingly rigged against ordinary people.
The American way is to debate and disagree without dehumanizing each other. To save our great nation, we must reform what is broken without destroying what is good, and remember that America belongs to all of us.
#ServiceBeforeSelf #twopartysystem