This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A spokesperson for our Washington County Republican Party recently claimed conservatives are more empathetic than liberals.
Conveniently, she ignored the big picture; the Republican political agenda, which is devoid of empathy.
Here are some examples.
The Affordable Care Act, created by Democrats without a single Republican vote, is a genuine expression of empathy. The ACA has saved thousands of lives and brought health care relief to millions. The recently defeated, heartless GOP replacement plan would have increased costs, caused 24 million to lose health insurance, ended Medicare expansion and defunded other vital programs.
Democrats staunchly support Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, but the GOP is determined to slash these programs, thus causing hardship for many.
Some 11,000 citizens are murdered annually by guns, including harmless children. For years, Democrats have proposed common-sense gun regulation which is supported by 90 percent of constituents — blocked by the GOP.
To help lift millions out of poverty, Democrats want to raise the minimum wage — defeated by the GOP.
Democrats support equal pay for women — blocked by the GOP.
The examples are endless. Clearly, the GOP is the party of cruelty.
Kathy Johnson
Ivins