"Different Sides"

I was just forwarded this by a friend. First, I apologize if this is quite old and you have seen it before. Secondly, I must state the disclaimer that I do not fully support (nor will necessarily defend) any particular political party because I think that, while some are "right" on more issues than others, none of them is right on everything (and, even if their platform were in perfect harmony with my own views, they would almost certainly not act in perfect accord with their platform - for one reason or another). Also, while the text uses specific political parties, I think it could be improved by substituting certain political systems of thought.

That being said:

A woman in a hot air balloon realized she was lost She lowered her altitude and spotted a man in a boat below. She shouted to him, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."

The man consulted his portable GPS and replied, "You're in a hot air balloon, approximately 30 feet above a ground elevation of 2,346 feet above sea level. You are at 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude."

She rolled her eyes and said, "You must be a Republican." "I am," replied the man. "How did you know?" "Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct, but I have no idea what to do with your information, and I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help to me."

The man smiled and, responded, "You must be a Democrat." "I am," replied the balloonist. "How did you know?" "Well," said the man, "you don't know where you are or where you're going. You've risen to where you are, due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise that you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. You're in exactly the same position you were before we met, but, somehow, now it's my fault."