I am a liberal because

[margotb822]

So, I just hung up the my picture of Obama and Biden that I received after donating to the DNC. I have this overwhelming sense of pride every time I look at the picture, and I though "I am so proud to be a liberal." But, I started to ask myself why am I liberal in the first place. So much of the last eight years have put liberalism in a context as against Bush and his administration. Yes, we are against many (all) of the things that W has done, but we are for more than we are against. And we stand for a lot.

* I am a liberal because I believe that America can only succeed when we include everyone in our process and our consideration.

* I am a liberal because I believe that success does not come from the top down, but from the bottom up. When the lives of those who are struggling the most are improved, we all benefit. America is the land of opportunity, but everyone is not born with the same access. We can change that.

* I am a liberal because I believe that the government has an obligation to take care of its people. Health Care and Education are a right, not a privilege.

* I am a liberal because I am not afraid to deal in reality. Sex is a reality. Unwanted pregnancy is a reality. We cannot solve the problem if we pretend it does not exist. Education is the key.

* I am a liberal because I believe in every right provided in the Bill of Rights. I also believe in the safety of the greater community. It's illegal to yell "fire" or "bomb" in a crowded building and I'm ok with that. You're not hunting with an assault rifle, so let's be reasonable about how far our right to do anything really goes.

* I am a liberal because I believe in the rule of law, man's laws. You can practice whatever religion you want, just don't expect me to follow your religion or its "laws."

* I am a liberal because I believe that when the government is run by good people, it can do great things. When there are bad people in charge, terrible things happen.

* I am a liberal because I believe in an economy that respects the strength of the individual not the influence of the corporation. Without individuals, every corporation fails.

* I am a liberal because I believe America is part of the global community. We cannot expect to hold influence if we don't also take responsibility. We are all partners and every nation shares in the future of this world.

* I am a liberal because I believe that power and military strength are not the same thing. I would rather speak softly and carry a big stick. Potential to act can be just as influential as the action itself.

* I am a liberal because I appreciate nuance and gray area. Life is rarely simple, and I accept that.

* I am a liberal because I believe that every person is equal regardless of the money they have or the place they live, I believe in a government by, of, and for the people, and that the future can only be better if we work to make it so.


Why are you a liberal?? (I realize that I probably left some out, so feel free to add)

check out my website for more!

[QueenOfCalifornia]

1. I am a liberal

because not being one is mean.

[YOY]

2. I am a liberal because

90% of people who say, "I got mine, FU." got theirs because of who they are and not what they have done.

100% of them don't even know what they have in relativity.

[Ohio Joe]

3. What a wonderful list

Very well said, the only thing I might add is:

*I am a liberal because I'm not batshit crazy enough to be a repuglican. :rofl:

[margotb822]

6. And every time I talk to one

I'm even more proud to be a liberal.

Yea, the not being crazy thing is a big factor in my liberal-ness :P

[MannyGoldstein]

4. I Used To Be A Republican

I became a Liberal after I looked at the data - Liberal countries and Liberal states simply have better results:

www.blueworksbetter.com

so I had to switch sides.

[margotb822]

7. Cool site

Facts and numbers are so useful when debating thugs. They hate them (which is why they make up their own).

[Idealism]

5. I'm a liberal because

somebody has to refute the nonsense coming from right-wingers. Its a tough job but somebodys' got to do it.

[FormerDittoHead]

8. I used to be a "conservative", but I'm now a liberal because...

We TRIED the conservative agenda, or at least the REALITY of the conservative agenda, and... it... DOESN'T WORK.

Many years ago I read a description of the "communist conspiracy". This is how it went: communism is really a lie because while they talk about a state of equality, the fact is that communism is mearly an excuse to install socialism, which is just another form of undemocratic dictatorship.

But conservatives have an platform equally deceptive as communism.

Conservatives promise a state of equal opportunity via a meritocracy and describe how the free flow of unregulated supply and demand will result in the most efficient means of delivering goods and services to people.

But it is all a lie. It is a lie whose highest, ultimate, main purpose is to reduce the tax burden of the rich and place their risk on the backs of the lower classes. I have YET to see any suggestion, program, platform or policy from the right which runs counter to that end. Not ONCE do they EVER suggest ANYTHING which MAY cost the rich more than the poor, or even benefit the poor equally (except when it's for direct political gain).

Our invasion to Iraq was the key to this. I still can't believe how they didn't get impeached and tried for treason... When I realized the WMD WHOPPER that we had been told in order to get us into Iraq, I realized that any pretense the right had to being honest was out the window, and it lead me to question everything and the answer was always the same: benefit those who already had the wealth.

[margotb822]

9. Did you see Rachel Maddow on Colbert?

I will never forget what she said about Republicans. They're whole platform involves the abolition of the government, so why would you hire somebody to run something they don't believe should exist?? Of course they're going to fail.

I have always thought conservatism is a myth. There is too much of a disconnect between what is said and what is done. In my tin foil hat world, I believe that the Republican party is a catch all for the wealthy, the religious zealots and the racists/bigots. When you look at the reality of their policies, these are the groups they serve. Since WWII, the world is such that conservatism is doomed to failure.

[ipfilter]

10. I am a liberal because

I first thought I was a conservative. I grew up and realized I was wrong. I know I cannot be a conservative because conservatives can never admit to being wrong.

[margotb822]

11. That is definitely key

I was watching the Daily Show when Billo was on and he called the teddy bear a panda. It would have just blown over if he had said "oh, nevermind, it's not a panda," but instead he went into this defensive stance about how it was a panda and then challenged John Stewart to define a panda. It was all very weird.

And it got me thinking, this is what's wrong with people like him. He was obviously wrong, but instead, he had to prove he was right and then try to make the other person defend the correct choice. It goes way beyond pandas, but it was a good example of how super RWers think.

[ipfilter]

13. I saw that. He couldn't admit it wasn't a panda.

He said it was panda, therefore it was a panda unless someone could prove otherwise.

[BOSSHOG]

12. I believe the constitution is a shield not a weapon ergo I could be nothing but a liberal

[margotb822]

14. It's just a piece of paper!

Ahhhh, how awful was that?! The document he's sworn to uphold and defend is worthless when it gets in his way. He should have been impeached just for that!

[reggie the dog]

15. I am a liberal because

my head is not up my ass.

[margotb822]

16. Or anyone else's! n/t

[Javaman]

17. I'm a liberal because I prefer boxers over whitie tighties. nt

[orleans]

18. i am a liberal because i grew up with my mother repeatedly telling me

to open my mind ("open your mind, just open your mind")

so i did.

thanks mom.

[unblock]

19. because i have a brain and i can't shut the damn thing off!

believe me, there are times when i wish i could.

voting republican is easier than thinking!

[jmg257]

20. You are a bit goofy because...

*You want to pick and choose what part of the Bill of rights you support, in spite of saying you believe every word. It sounds very possible that you would willingly trade freedom for a false sense of security. Sounds kind of Bush-like, no?

*You think that 1)hunting with assault rifles is some kind of an issue, or 2)that the bill of rights has anything to do with it

*You apparently think it reasonable to have your tongue removed when stepping into that crowded building because you MAY yell "fire", when in reality isn't it better that people only get penalized when they misuse the right to free speech? I too am OK with it being illegal to yell "fire", unless there is one of course, right?.

*you don't see the tension between your belief that "When there are bad people in charge, terrible things happen" and your belief "that the government has an obligation to take care of its people". I have no problem with health care and education, but please be careful how much control you give those in charge, they may not always agree with you on the best way to use that control!


All that other stuff is cool!

[margotb822]

21. I think you're a bit stupid because

of your response. Did you not get the whole thing about nuance and complexity?

I never said I want to pick and choose what parts of the bill of rights I support. I just understand that there need to be limits on people's individual rights for the safety of all. Speech and rifles were the two examples I chose. How did it sound like I would trade freedom for a false sense of security? I said nothing in there about giving up my right to reasonable search or right to go before a judge. Those are Bush's policies, and those are the freedoms that the supporters of the PATRIOT ACT have given up (for all of us) for a false sense of security.

Hunting with an assualt rifle is not an issue, but the availability of ARs is. Where do we draw the line at personal gun ownership, especially considering the full text of the second amendment?

Did I suggest people have their mouths stapled before entering a public building? No. Do I think that dumbasses like you might yell "fire" in a building because they think it's funny? Yes.

Frankly I don't see a difference in a gunman walking into a crowded place and killing 10 people and a jackass walking into a crowded place, causing a panic by yelling "FIRE" and killing 10 people. Luckily we don't have to rely on the spoken word to alert us to a fire, and with all this nifty technology like fire alarms, we can tell the difference between a prank and an emergency.

Again though, you can only impose a penalty on the misuse of free speech if it's actually illegal. If it weren't a crime to yell "fire" in a building, there'd be no way to punish those who do. So, yes, I do understand why it's illegal.

No, I don't see tension between those two statements because the logical follow would be that terrible governments don't fufill their obligation to care for their people. The government doesn't just consist of the federal government, state and local governments need to be considered, too. And, state and local are usually the ones who administer education and health care. At some point, someone has to be in control, but at no point did I imply that the federal government should administer local education. In fact, if NCLB has taught us anything, it's that the federal government is not equipped to administer education. But, like health care, there are some problems that need to be tackled at the upper levels first before they can handled by the more immediate parties.

[TexasObserver]

22. Because Neil Diamond sang a song The Hollies made famous.

The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where,
Who knows where?

But I'm strong,
Strong enough to carry him.
He ain't heavy, he's my brother.

So on we go,
His welfare is my concern.
No burden is he, to bear,
We'll get there.
For I know
He would not encumber me.
He ain't heavy, he's my brother.

If I'm laden at all
I'm laden with sadness,
That everyone's heart
Isn't filled with the gladness
Of love for one another.

It's a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we're on our way to there
Why not share?

And the load
Doesn't weigh me down at all
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
He ain't heavy, he's my brother.

[TexasObserver]

23. And because John Steinbeck wrote THE GRAPES OF WRATH.

Art inspires.