The Natural result of Compassion is Liberalism

[_TJ_]

The Natural result of Compassion is Liberalism


I have always been a liberal or progressive person when it comes to social and political issues. I’ve often wondered why this is. What is it about me – about my psychological makeup – that causes me to invariably choose the most liberal stance on pretty much every issue.

Perhaps surprisingly, it has actually taken me quite a while to figure this one out!

I used to think it was because I had a ‘love of freedom’ – that I wanted to be the master of my own fate – but it turns out this wasn’t the reason at all.

I do like to have as many freedoms as possible – I am naturally stubborn and wilful, and I’ve always resented it when I thought other people were trying to control me – but when I tried to analyse my liberal beliefs in terms of this desire for freedom, I found that my beliefs seemed incoherent and inconsistent.

There had to be something deeper driving me – something that the love of freedom was itself only a symptom of. And after some reflection, I have finally figured the darn thing out ;-)

It seems that all of my beliefs are based upon a natural sense of compassion and empathy for the suffering of others. It turns out that I’m a good old-fashioned bleeding heart liberal after all – who ever woulda thunk it?

Here are some of the political beliefs that my compassionate nature has rendered ultra-liberal…


Abortion

I believe that abortion should be made available to a woman if she wants one. I think to deprive a desperate woman of a termination is to wilfully cause her enormous suffering. No one with a heart should inflict this on any woman.

I have written a longer version of this argument here: CLICK HERE!
http://www.iol.ie/~gerb/ramblings/abortion

Euthanasia

I believe that people who are suffering horrible, painful deaths should be allowed to choose the time of their demise, and so reduce the amount of suffering they must endure. Forcing a dying person to linger on in agony until the bitter end is barbaric and should not be a fact of life in the modern world.


Legalisation of Drugs

I believe that I have the right to put anything I want into my own body – even if it is harmful to me. The state should not have the right to restrict what I want to do with my body – it is mine, and I am the sole master of its fate. Just as the state has no right poking its nose into a woman’s reproductive system, it has no right to poke its nose into the contents of my blood stream either.


Forced Medicals and Drug Tests

I do not believe that my employer has the right to force me to undergo non-consensual medical procedures. I should not have to endure prodding and pricking at the hands of some company quack to ensure my continued employment. As with the illegal drugs issue, the contents of my bloodstream, and the drugs that I choose to put into it are my own affair.


Vegetarianism and Animal Rights

I am a vegetarian because I don’t like to see animals suffer – especially when it is unnecessary. I have no objections to people in poor countries eating animals to get the nutrition they need, but in the industrialised world it is simply not essential that we kill animals for food. I consider the suffering of animals raised specifically for food to be unnecessary and immoral.


Animals in Entertainment and Gambling

I do not believe that animals should be used for purposes such as horseracing, greyhound racing, and in circuses. Apart from the obvious fact that an animal cannot give it’s consent to these activities, they often lead to abuse and suffering as the animal becomes little more than a commodity or a means of making money. Just as I don’t believe that we should kill animals for food, I also don’t believe we have a right to exploit them for our own entertainment.


The Death Penalty

I do not believe the state has the right to take away the life of any of its citizens against their will – even if they are criminals or murderers. I believe the death penalty is barbaric and cruel, and that the state should never be allowed to subject anyone to cruel and unusual punishment.


Social Welfare and Free Health Care

I believe the state has a moral duty to look after the most vulnerable members of society – children, the poor, and the elderly. If someone finds themselves unemployed or in a low-paying job, the state should help them to keep their head above water until their financial situation improves.


Hitting / Smacking / Spanking Kids

Call it whatever you like – I think it is a cruel and unnecessary method of teaching kids right from wrong. It is always wrong to inflict pain on another human being – especially a child. And smacking a child does cause pain – if it didn’t it would have no effect! I think this type of punishment diminishes the already small pool of happiness that kids enjoy, and it should be avoided by any parent who has compassion for their child’s feelings.

I have written at greater length on this topic here: CLICK HERE!
http://www.iol.ie/~gerb/ramblings/hitting/

Circumcision

I believe this practice should be ended except where medically necessary. The child cannot give his consent for this procedure, and many men suffer in later life because they had this forced on them as a child. Religious beliefs are no excuse for putting your child through an unnecessary medical procedure!


Jury Duty

I think this is gone about in the wrong way. Forcing people to serve the state in any capacity is little better than slavery. People resent being forced to do things against their will – after all, man is a being that desires freedom above all else. It should be voluntary or else the state should hire people to do it full-time. If we are supposed to trust a judge to do his job impartially while in the employ of the state, I see no reason why a state-funded jury can’t be deserving of equal trust also.


Crime and Punishment

Suffice it to say, I feel sympathy and pity even for criminals. I believe they should be treated as fairly, and with as much mercy as possible. Hey, you cannot fault me for being inconsistent!!

I have written at greater length on this topic as well: CLICK HERE!
http://www.iol.ie/~gerb/ramblings/crime/

Conclusion

Wow – I really am a bleeding-heart liberal after all. Maybe you are too? We should get together – we could sit round eating quiche and feeling sorry for Saddam Hussein. :-D

[RPM]

1. re: state-funded juries...

Ultimately the constitutional promise of a trial by jury of ones peers may be substantially abridged by the use of professional juries. While I agree with your statement from a general perspective, the constitutional promise must be fulfilled. It may be done under your suggestion, but such a professional jury pool would have to be very broadly drawn - so much so that it may not reflect the accused's group of 'peers'.

Just a thought.

Interesting post and good writing!

edited for spelling

[Bluerthanblue]

2. gotta say...

... i agree with almost everything you have vocalized.

And, i DO feel sorry for SH and GWB and OBL- for exactly the reason you cite- if i were any of them, i could never live with myself- Don't want to wax religious, but Jesus' command that we treat others as we would have them treat us IS the recipe for 'heaven on earth'- idealistic? oh yeah- but none the less, true.

(a heart that bleeds, is one that is living- there is no shame in caring for others and being unashamed to show that 'tender' side- the shame is those who are so uncomfortable with thier emotions, they strike out at others, rather than 'feel the pain')

"Liberal" means 'free' after all- why do the 'right' people hate that?

[_TJ_]

3. Hey thanks for that.

You are one of the good guys it seems :D

I always get confused when other liberals approach an issue without
showing compassion for the people involved. Sadly it does happen though.

[ktowntennesseedem]

4. Bookmarked to read in more detail at home this evening.

But from what I glanced at, looks great!!! Loved the post title!