The big difference between Republicans and liberal Democrats is the way each party views people. Republicans see us as individuals and respect our God-given human dignity. To liberal Democrats, we're not individuals; we're members of a herd with all the dignity of a cow or pig dependent on its owner for daily rations of hay or slop.

Democrats see us as being white or as blacks or as straights or as gays, or as lesbians or as heterosexuals, or as rich or poor, or as Christians or as Jews or as Muslims, or as young or as old, as working or as retired, or as housewives or as career women.

They submerge us into pools that define us as members of groups instead of as what we are as God sees us, -- as any father sees his children -- each being different from one another, and each child being a separate and distinct individual with his or her own specific talents and abilities, and all deserving of his love.

Republicans see us all as Americans, all united in our desire to see this nation grow and prosper, and be safe and secure, and to provide opportunities to everyone no matter our group membership.

Democrats see us as members of groups, each with specific goals often at odds or competing with the goals other groups. To them you have no existence except as being a small part of a bloc or several blocs. Instead of seeking to treat you as a person, they aim not to satisfy your individual needs and desires but only those of your group.

This Marxist view of human nature embraces group-think, despises individuality, and seeks to eliminate all vestiges of the dignity to which every human being created in the image and likeness of God is entitled. Only the hopes and aspirations of the groups matter, and they matter solely because they create dependency on the state -- which seeks to supplant God as the source of all that is good and necessary for survival.

Grouping Americans allows the Democrats to gather the herd and drive it into their pen. Since each group needs a shepherd, the liberals are only too happy to name one to guide it. The anointed shepherd, of course, is one who can be relied upon to toe the Democrats' party line.

And so the black group finds itself led and defined by a Jesse Jackson or an Al Sharpton. The fact that the members of the black American groups are given no say in determining who speaks for them or is their leader makes no difference. If you are black, you are not Jackie Robinson or Tiger Woods. You are a member of the black herd-group and Jesse Jackson is your shepherd. And Jesse Jackson, who gives new meaning to the term "shepherd's crook," is led around by the Democrats if he wants to continue as a shepherd.

If you are a member of the female group your spokespersons are the likes of Hillary Clinton, Barbra Streisand, Nancy Pelosi or whatever shrew is the head of NOW or NARAL or Emily's List. All are loyal Democrats. Republicans need not apply for the job of shepherding the human ewes.

If you have Hispanic background, step in line and follow Gov. Bill Richardson into the Democratic sheep pen. And if you are a laborer or pipe fitter or an employee of federal, state or local government your shepherds are all loyal Democratic labor bosses.

This division of people into groups, and groups into political blocs, is necessary because the powers that be want to negotiate with groups rather than with individual Americans, and with group leaders they choose rather than with leaders chosen by the members of the groups. And when federal dollars are doled out, they pass through the sticky hands of the groups' leaders

And this is a party that allegedly celebrates diversity among individuals.