Here's Your Republicanism. - Would You Like Fries With That?

We now hear from the sovereign leader of the Chuckonian Federation...
I was posed a simple question with an interesting answer today in one of my classes. The class in which this point arose was "Political Parties & Elections." It is, naturally, a lecture and discussion-based class, and the enrollment of it could not be more diverse. Among the politicos found within the walls of said class, you can find the former President of the UofM College Republicans (me), two current officers of the club, the current President of the UofM College Democrats (a very fine fellow and good friend), one of his officers, a liberal writer/editor for the university newspaper, and a black Republican (not an impossibility, but a rarity in Memphis). The discussion generated in this class is always interesting, primarily because I often find myself agreeing with my former Democratic counterpart (feels good to be retired from organized politics, makes such agreements easier to handle). Today, however, I found an interesting point which may well explain the entire political culture of 21st Century America.
How the topic fully developed is foggy, even in my short-term memory, however the final point is what sticks out. We were throwing around comments and ideas about the lack of participation in both major parties and how the stereotypes of each party play a role in their individual problems with keeping "good help" whether in war or peacetime. It eventually turned into a discussion about the differences between the parties and within a few minutes of discussion control by me, the professor, and my former Democratic counterpart, we came to the point that the parties differ (in general) as follows: Democrats appeal to and attempt to accommodate, as a party, many different interests and groups and types of people; Republicans tend to have a narrower package of ideas and idea classifications and less diversity of supporters for those ideas. Therefore, it is easier for Republicans to "mobilize the base" while harder for Democrats to establish a base to be mobilized or find solid party leadership. This, of course, is a very general idea and really only applies to national politics. But, it made me think and led me to develop a metaphor which I shared with the class. Being a Republican is like going to a fast-food restaurant for one burger. You've got all your beliefs packaged between two buns and even though the fixings on the burger may differ a little, it's still a hamburger. Being a Democrat is like going to a full buffet and not really being able to get some of everything but finding just about everything you like. And at some point or another, everyone is going to be enticed to check out the buffet. Basically, the Republican party often has the air of "processed packages of ideas" and the Democratic party finds itself looking delicious to everyone at some times but still not being the restaurant that we want to eat at every night. In the end, this metaphor is not intended to paint my party or the opposition positively or negatively, simply realistically.
We remind our royal readers that, in Chuckonia, straight talk comes first, rhetoric second. Never try to fool yourself into believing that your system of beliefs - whether is be your politics, religion, ideas on family, how you educate your kids, your work ethic, or even how you bait a hook - is without flaw. Any belief system, to be truly effective in your own life, must be viewed realistically and thoroughly. You shouldn't believe something because you can overlook the flaws, but rather because you can accept them and work to make them better for the benefit of all believers. In well over a decade of political devotion, I think that's the most valuable life lesson I have learned from it all. I'm proud to be a Republican (see I Know Why the Caged Elephant Sings), but I'm prouder because it is my choice to be one and my acceptance of the imperfections of the party that drives me to continue to fight for change in an already ever-changing world.
Keep reading. For me, the fight begins in Chuckonia.