Mommy Democrats - Daddy Republicans

On election night 2008, I heard a newscaster say that traditionally Republicans are the Daddy Party and Democrats are the Mommy Party. The thought of all those mommies and daddies fussing at one another on Capitol Hill made me smile, but what he said was true. I'd already spent years of voting based on party affiliation and gut reaction, but I finally understood why I'd been doing that all along. I'm a mommy through and through.

Democrats are Like Mommies

Forget about politics for a minute and consider what it means to be a Mommy. Whether married, divorced or single, career track or mommy track, a mommy makes certain there's money coming in and that everybody gets fed one way or another. Mommies get kids to school and to bed on time and they nurse them back to health when they're sick. Mommies chauffeur children to soccer practice and Saturday games. (no body ever talks about soccer Dads) Mommies will fight but only to protect their families from danger; otherwise they prefer peace.

Democrats are just like Mommies. They put family first and make sure they are taken care of and protected. When Democrats are running things, I feel a little more cared about as a woman, a mother, a minority and an American. When Democrats win, I feel like I matter.

Republicans are Like Daddies

Daddies work hard too, but sometimes they get so caught up in being in charge, they miss a lot of what's really going on. They love their families and they toil long hours to support them; but drinking buddies and business contacts often take precedence over home and family. When Daddies step through the door, they're loud sometimes and demand attention over everyone else. Daddies flex their muscles. They talk tough; and sometimes encourage kids to fight instead of talking things out. Daddies eat, drink then fall asleep in front of the TV; so sometimes they don't see what's right in front of them.

Republicans are just like Daddies. They may mean well but they have a funny way of showing it. When Republicans are in office, I feel like a bug about to be accidentally crushed by a big shoe.

What About the Tea Party?
I haven't heard any fine folk wisdom about the Tea Party Patriots. They fit pretty well into the child slot of my Mommy/Daddy political analogy. Tea Party Patriots are like children. They may be big enough to make a lot of noise, but not yet mature enough to take over the house.

I wrote this in 2010, but with all the craziness over healthcare reform, I thought it was time to dust it off and post it again.