Republicans used their weekly address Saturday to get philosophical: "Republicans are the enablers and Democrats are the mandators," said Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.
"Imagine your government as your iPhone. How can government empower you with the freedom and knowledge to make decisions to create a happier, more prosperous, and safer life for yourself and for your family?" he asked.
Alexander offered other examples:
Democrats want to mandate fixed wages and more lawsuits, while Republicans want to allow more flexibility for working parents, enabling them to attend soccer games and piano recitals," he charged. income children to choose the best school. Democrat mandators insist on telling those children what school is best."
Democrats have countered that their goal is provide equal opportunity, and to use federal laws to help achieve that goal.
“Republicans want to enable you. We want to be the iPhone party," Alexander said. "We believe government ought to be a platform that gives you opportunity and freedom to create a happier, more prosperous, and safer life.
“Just imagine the Internal Revenue code, the Food and Drug Administration, or the Labor Department enabling you rather than ordering you around."