Graceful Parenting in Austin

According to its web site, Why Mommy is a Democrat is a children’s book that “brings to life the core values of the Democratic party in ways that young children will easily understand and thoroughly enjoy.”

This book makes me so mad I could spit. And it’s not because I’m a Republican. It’s because I’m a Democrat and this book doesn’t represent my values at all.

This book says things like “Democrats make sure we all share our toys, just like Mommy does.” and “Democrats make sure we are all safe, just like Mommy does,” and “Democrats make sure children can go to school, just like Mommy does.” You know, all of the nice, smart and honest people are Democrats, just like Mommy. I guess that makes all of the selfish, uneducated and corrupt people Republicans.

I don’t have any scientific research to prove this, but my own personal theory is that there are equal percentages of nice, smart and honest people in the Democratic and Republican parties. And Democrats and Republicans who use the “the other side is selfish, uninformed and/or corrupt” argument aren’t really talking about the issues.

For example, if the issue is how to reduce poverty in America, you could say that people who stay on welfare without looking for a job are selfish or you could say that people who don’t want to help hungry children are selfish, but neither of these arguments addresses the issue. The issue is what kinds of government programs are successful in reducing poverty? The Republicans are right - unlimited welfare can lead to a sense of entitlement that removes people from the economic system altogether. The Democrats are also right - we are a rich country and we can afford to help people when they are in need. The issue is - which programs work? Which ones provide help to those in need and also help people transition out of poverty? It is easy to judge the motivations and character of the other side, it is much harder to come up with solutions.

Now that I think about it again, I might share this book with my 10-year-old. It would be good for discussion about how it is easy to see the world in black and white, in good guys and bad guys. It is harder to listen to the other side and learn from them, because sometimes they might have good ideas. It is harder to remove yourself, your feelings and your biases from the debate and really focus on the problem. But that is what our country needs. That is what I want to teach my kids about politics.