CULTURAL ESSAY

A definition for a Republican would be: With the core belief that individual destiny should be in the
individuals hands, governmental power and resources should be kept close to the people, through their
state and community leaders, and not centralized in distant federal government agencies, (Santa Clara
County Republican Party , 2014). The Republican Party or GOP (Grand Old Party), has very conservative
views on economic and social values. Many evangelical Christians are republicans because of the
Christian background they have or perceive to have and uphold. The biggest reason why people choose
to support the Republican Party is because they uphold traditional American values. (Conjecture
Corporation, "What Is a Republican? 2014).
Republicans in the 21st century are perceived to be conservative through their marriage views,
homophobic, unconcerned for the lower class in America, mean-spirited, greedy, selfish and intolerant.
Republicans view marriage as a sacred union between a man and a woman. Therefore, they see
anything outside of those limitations are wrong and unrecognized according to their definition of
marriage, and values on the sacred covenant of marriage. People often stereotype republicans as a
whole to be a party of people who are unwilling to help the poor or lower class in America. Because of
the perception that Republicans disassociate themselves from the lower class, it appears like they dont
feel like the need to focus on the poor in our population.
Republicans are perceived to oppose reformations that help people through government
funding, as those who manipulate the system or as those who are lazy. Republicans are not in the
business of giving handouts to American citizens or letting them rely on the government. For example
republicans would like to limit the accessibility welfare In general. Obviously each person is different and
some might actually need it, but they would like to weed out the people who do not. As for social
security, they want to restrict the population who receives it to those who actually have put resources

CULTURAL ESSAY

into and will actually need it when the time comes. President Ronald Reagan once said, The nine most
terrifying words in the English language are, I am from the government and I am here to help.
(Republican Messaging, "Republicans suddenly love Big Government", 2014).republicans are not here to
help. Not in the way the Democratic Party does or how people want them to. There way of helping is by
teaching, and educating. This reason gives people the perception that they do not care for people who
cannot finically support themselves. This perception of Republicans is that they are not connected to the
real world. It seems as if they were born into privilege and never had to struggle or fight just to put food
on the table, or clothes on their back. Wealth is perceived to be a reality for Republicans, making it seem
like they never had to work or maintain a job. This perception, in some cases makes them unreachable,
or untouchable to the everyday common man. Americans as a whole tend to side more with people who
have had the same struggles or who they can at least can identify with it to some degree. Often this
leads to a generalization that Republicans do not care.

In an article titled Evangelicals Warn 2016 Candidates, NBC News writer Perry Bacon Jr. states,
Religious GOP activist say that they will oppose any candidate who will not say unequivocally that
marriage is between a man and a woman. This is an example of how republicans can be perceived in
the public eye. In reference to the shtudwn of the government, republicans were viewed as unwilling to
help people by not passing the Affordable Care Act.

Interviews

CULTURAL ESSAY

In my interview with persons A & B, I asked a series a questions to get a better

understanding of how republicans think. Having my own interpretation of what are their values, beliefs
and morals, I thought it would be better to hear it from actual republicans. One of my questions was,
what are the republican views to you? Both A&B answered pretty similarity by stating that republicans
want less government control or influence, both believe that people should be held accountable for
actions as well. They also both agreed on lowering taxes for people. For the most part for this question,
both A&B answered the same thing. (Person a & Person B, personal communication, October 12, 2014).
My next question was, What type of people are Republicans? For this question I did get different
answers. Person A believed that the majority of republicans were rural southern people as well as
business owners. He also believed that the majority were white middle to upper-class America. That
thinking is how most people view republicans. Upper-class white people. (Person A, personal
communication, October 12, 2014).Person B stated that he believed the majority were older rich white
men. These two men gave very different answers. Person B said that republicans were strictly for white
rich people meaning that if you didnt fit into the republican way. (Person B, personal communication,
October 12, 2014). Person A on the other hand gave a more inviting answer saying that middle to
upper-class people are usually republics. Basically opening up or broadening the republican sect of
people to go after. My next question was why are republicans looked at in a negative light? Person A
said it in a simple fashion. Gay marriage. He believes that because of the stance that republicans take
can come off as a little harsh, it shows that they have no compassions for peoples beliefs or views.
Person B stated that republicans are not willing to change. He believes that evolving with time is a bad
idea because constant change ruins the foundation. Constant change in your party does bring about
fresh new ideas that can impact and change our world in the 21st century. But on the other side if you
are willing to constantly change then what do you actually stand for in your party. This question brought
about two different views on republicans that are probably wide spread across the country as well as

CULTURAL ESSAY

the party. It shows that with even being in the same party, republican views on why they are looked at
different changes. The next question asked was, how or did you chose to be a Republican? Person A
stated that he did grow up in a Christian household but he researched on his own what political views
republicans had and therefore that is how he became a republican. Person B also had a similar story. His
family was very religious but he was the most involved in politics. His parents were the kind of people
who didnt always pick for the republican, they just picked the person who fits best for the country. So
person B researched as well and found that his views fit the Republican Party. The question that got very
good response for was the question on OBAMACARE? Person B does not like it. Says the only reason it
passed was because Pres. Obama had the house, senate and was obviously the president. He also
believes the government should not mandate people to buy things. He does believe however that we do
need some kind of reform, healthcare wise, but he does not believe that Obamacare is the way to go
about it. He also stated that most people do not get approved for Obamacare, they get Medicare which
is a rip-off to people. (Person B, Personal communication, October 12, 2014).
Person A stated a similar thing saying that Obamacare is socialism at its finest. He also didnt like how
the government controlled the healthcare system is in this regard. The final question to both of the
interviewees was, Most republicans say they are Christians. With that being said, do you believe that
republicans are Christ Like, or shows Gods love? Person B, believe it is a core value. He does not
believe that all republicans exhibit these values though. He also stated that as a party they all just want
to help people but they cannot do that by giving out hand outs and crippling people. He believes that
republicans are not emotional, they are logical. They do not want to keep people in poverty, they want
to help them get out. They do not want to do that by being a party who only gives enough just so you
can barely get over. They want to educate people so they can pull themselves out of their own struggles
financially and give them the necessary tools to succeed. (Person B, Personal communication, October
12, 2014). Person A believes that republicans do have and show Gods love but not all do. When the

CULTURAL ESSAY

conversation got deeper he mentioned that people looked at Romney as a stone cold killer. Basically not
showing any of the love Christians are supposed to show. But in the aspect of Christians giving to the
needy, he mentioned that Romney gives a lot to charity. He actually said that he gave or gives more than
president Obama showing that they do follow some of the traditional Christian values. As the
conversation went progressed he began to say that the media does not show the good side of
republicans. It does not show what good they do in the community and for people everywhere. Because
we are in such a media driven society, whatever we hear or see on TV, or on the different social medias
likes twitter and Facebook and even the newspapers, we will believe it. We never get all of the truth
and he believes that republicans do just as much for people as any other political party. But he does
believe that they are in an era of change and that the good will start to come out more and the Christian
values will be put on the forefront. (Person A, personal communication, October 12, 2014). These
interviews shed a different light on republicans that most people do not know or see. After the
interviews the information received was very enlightening to someone who is not a republican or who
doesnt know what they stand for.
Person C was conducted a few days later to give another view point on republicans. Being that the first
two were males, it was appropriate to find a college female student opinion or outlook on republicans.
When asked, What are your political views? She said that she was prolife, which is being against
abortion. She believes that since god is the author of life no man or woman should be able to take the
life of someone else even if it is on the inside of them. Also she believes that even if a woman is raped
and still conceives the child that person does not have the right to take away a life for it is not hers. That
child could become the next MLK or Harriet Tubman. They can become the most influential person on
earth but we would not know that if the life is taken away. It can harm society if a persons life is taken
away because they do great things. She believes that the government has every right to drug test people
who are on welfare. Her reasoning behind it is that jobs get to drug test their employees. If that

CULTURAL ESSAY

happens then the government has every right to drug test people who are on welfare because they are
funding the money. As for healthcare, she does not believe the government should be mandating the
affordable care act. It should be given out in a need basis like welfare is. For people who can actually
afford it, they need to pay for their own healthcare. (Person C, personal communication, October 22,
2014). The next question asked was, Do you believe republicans are looked at in a negative light? if so,
why? Republicans as a whole take a more conservative view when it comes to issue like marriage
equality. Within the media it is openly supported, especially in a broadcasting media. Because
conservatives usually take a stance that oppress marriage equality, they are viewed as old fashioned and
not progressive. They believe that marriage is a sacred thing between a man and a woman. But because
that is looked upon as old fashioned they are looked at as narrow minded people. She doesnt see
anything wrong with a civil union. Because marriage is a biblical concept, she believes that the actual
meaning of marriage should only be given to people who are Christians.

After thoughts
After conducting the interviews and gathering up all the information from them, it is clear to see
that the way republicans are viewed and what they really stand for are two different things. For
example, former Democratic Party chair Howard Dean said that republicans are evil, corrupt, brain
dead, not very nice people, who have never made an honest living in their lives. (Kessler, "The Biggest
Myths about Republicans", 2011). From the research and actually talking to people who can say they are
a part of the Republican Party, you can say that this is not true. Republicans want to help people
become better people. After all the research it is true that republicans are viewed on a negative light.
But why? Because when we see people who do not want to change their ways, we look at them as being
stubborn. No that is not it. People have to understand that going with the wind and not having a firm
foundation in something, negatively affects our people. Alexander Hamilton said it best: Those who

CULTURAL ESSAY

stand for nothing, fall for anything. what that means is that if you do not have a foundation, you are
willing to fall or say anything is ok. Now, there is nothing wrong with that mindset. However, you cannot
become mad or disagree with someone or say they are heartless because they decided to find some
beliefs and not waiver on them. That in a nutshell is what a republican is. A person who will not allow for
themselves to fall for anything. That is why some people agree with them. Not because they are
opposite of what a democrat might stand for, but because people in America, or at least some them
believe that having a ground to stand on instead of walking on air is a better thing to do. One of the
two main US political parties (the other being the Democratic
Party), favoring conservative stance, limited central government, and a strong national defense. (Oxford
University Press, "Republican Party", 2014). Even though this is true, they do want to help people
whenever they need it.

CULTURAL ESSAY

Abstract

The essay written over republicans was written to see what republican really stood for
and what they believed. The interviews given and the questions asked shed a new light on
republicans as a whole. It allowed for each of the people interviewed to give their own answers
to each of the questions. What was found is that even being from the same party, some
republicans have different outlooks. But as a whole most republicans have the same views. The
information found will also change the mind and perception that people usually have for
republicans as a whole on their, views, morals and beliefs. The essay, being very informative,
will bring about a new outlook on republicans, especially the way young republicans are viewed.
The essay also sheds light on republicans having morals and beliefs and how they should not be
judged for it. Republicans as a whole are not bad, if people take the time out to read this paper.