Theory Vs. Practice
Both are part of the scientific method, the latter used to convert theory to fact, but believing a theory is fact before practice proves it is believing in fantasy.
Attributed to a number of people from Benjamin Brewster (Yale Class of 1882) to Richard Feynman (renowned American theoretical physicist) is this saying:
"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice, while in practice there is."
Listening to the news this morning, it occurred to me that this is the dividing line between Democrats and Republicans these days. Democrats are theoretical, Republicans are practical. Don’t believe me, just spend fifteen minutes on Twitter X sometime.
In theory, all immigrants to this nation, legal and illegal, are a net positive for the nation. In practice, that is not true - and the leaders of the "sanctuary cities" are finding that out. Hell, we have natural born citizens who are not net positives for society. Why would illegal "migrants" be any different?
In theory, there is no open border while in practice, there is. The Biden regime is panicking now that the illegal crossing numbers are going back up.
In theory, the coronavirus vaccine works. In practice it doesn't. Democrats argue that it prevents people from getting sicker, but that is an admission it isn't a true vaccine that prevents the virus from making people ill. There is also statistical evidence that it may be harmful in certain cases.
In theory, the SARS-CoV-2 virus was a natural occurrence. In practice, it seems more likely than ever it was human created - and with Fauci supplied gain of function funds from the American taxpayer.
In theory, green energy works. In practice, it doesn't.
In theory, abortion is reproductive healthcare and not the ending of a human life, in practice it isn't the former and is most certainly the latter.
In theory, Bidenomics is working while in practice, it isn't. Biden is taking credit for certain indicators going down after his policies increased them in the first place. Everythign is still more expensive than it was on Inauguration Day in 2021.
In theory, there aren't two systems of justice, in practice there are. Hunter Biden vs. Donald Trump, J6 protesters vs. BLM/ANTIFA. Andy Ngo getting the hell beat out of him on video and the jury finding ANTIFA not guilty.
In theory, Biden's skull isn't filled with cold oatmeal, in practice, it is. No way this guy runs again. He is just there to protect Obama from legacy erosion.
It is clear that when the practical becomes recognized as the reality, the Democrats simply claim it is no big deal and the GOP is racist for noticing that things worked out just as the GOP said it would.
The challenge for the GOP is to make people understand that in theory, literally anything is possible because theory doesn't require concrete proof, that is why it is called a theory. Politically, a theory is the equivalent of a fairy tale, it is not mutually exclusive the way practical reality often is.
Practicality is not fancy, it is dull, has limits, and it is often bitter medicine to swallow, often representing things people do not want to hear or know - but it has the advantage of being based in facts and reality.
Practicality is the test that either proves or disproves a theory and converts theory to fact - or doesn’t. The sad fact is that there are people who want to live in a consequence free world of theory, never testing them to determine what is real and what isn’t.
Democrats want to be told what they want to hear, not what practicality reveals, so that is what their leaders tell them.
It's bad for everybody.
Certainly one of your best comparatives, Michael.
I agree with this statement: "Democrats want to be told what they want to hear, not what practicality reveals, so that is what their leaders tell them," but...
I think Republicans also want to be told what they want to hear. It's why (along with other reasons) so many incumbents get re-elected after promising to do something about Democrat policy and then failing to do anything, even when they have a majority, all the while putting on a big show, some serious Kabuki theater for their followers whom they then disappoint because their words are "full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." Just as the Democrats' policies are all implausibly utopian theories that fail in practice, so are promises of Republican politicians to their constituents. If this was not so, our government would be far different.