How to be Liberal and Proud
Posted: Friday, December 04, 2009
by Paul Schroeder
alien / demonic attachment
I AM PROUD TO BE A LIBERAL
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin said that she is not trying to reach "the liberal elites" on her book tour, but instead is focusing on "everyday, hard-working Americans."
She reiterated this often while on her tour.
Palin expounded: "I'm not trying to reach the liberal elites in this country, and it's a good thing I'm not trying to, 'cause I'm not succeeding there."
She is trying to reach out to "just everyday, hard-working Americans who want government back on their side," she said. "And I want to help them have their voice be heard, and the book is all about that."
"Liberal" she said is" heavily associated with excessively large and burdensome government, high taxes, excessive meddling by government in the affairs of commerce, being "soft on crime", and reluctance to defend the nation and its interests when it comes under foreign attack."
She reiterated this often while on her tour.
Palin expounded: "I'm not trying to reach the liberal elites in this country, and it's a good thing I'm not trying to, 'cause I'm not succeeding there."
"Liberal" she said is" heavily associated with excessively large and burdensome government, high taxes, excessive meddling by government in the affairs of commerce, being "soft on crime", and reluctance to defend the nation and its interests when it comes under foreign attack."
When I admit to being a Liberal I am often accused of being unintelligent.
Unintelligent? Hardly. Liberal? Positively.
Christian fundamentalist Conservatives seem sure and they have persuaded the American public, that a Liberal is similar to a proletariat Communist Party member.
This is a smear tactic and proves that the speaker is uneducated in the basics of our American political system. This country's government was based on focused Liberalism.
The Declaration of Independence's tenets are: "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." Liberalism as a coined expression is taken from the root word of the second of these precepts.
A Liberal by tradition defends the concept of freedom and liberty of all people in this American nation.
A Liberal deeply trusts individuals and families to run their own lives in freedom and liberty. Liberals created our nation where anyone can succeed if they are willing to work.
The true nature of Liberalism is defamed by these Conservative fundamentalist Christians who spout misconceptions and their agenda is sinister in that it is counter to our freedoms.
The tenets of Liberal thought and policy are twisted by the misconceptions put forth too often by Conservative rhetoric. LIFE IS LIBERALISM: Freedom from physical dangers that can kill or disable us is Liberal thinking.
The Liberal firmly holds that it is our nation's responsibility to protect its citizens from physical harm, be it external sources like hostile nations or internal ones, like crime, disease, or hunger. Without the solid ground of physical safety, this nation and its citizens cannot enjoy the benefits of being free.
Thus, Liberals believe in a strong military that is properly armed to defend our nation. Liberals believe in just laws, honest hardworking police and a fair legal system to protect its citizens from crime.
Liberals believe in affordable health care for everyone, to keep our nation's people strong. Liberals believe in the common availability of food and shelter for all of its nation's needy, not as charity but as a reasonable step in establishing Americans toward self-reliance and the freedoms that results from it.
LIBERTY IS LIBERALISM liberals espouse our total freedom to do as our conscience dictates without interfering with another's rights.
After they rejected their oppression in Europe, our Liberal founders established this nation where personal belief and self-determination are protected, not persecuted, where hard work is rewarded, not demanded, and where each person is bestowed with the ability to better his or her life because of common citizenship, not inherent class.
Liberals demand total freedom of speech to protect us from political oppression. Liberals believe in logical and sane regulations to protect us from economic oppression.
Liberals believe in fair and equal just laws to protect us from social oppression.
Liberals demand quality education to protect us from the oppression of ignorance.
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS IS LIBERALISM :Liberals insist and demand the freedom to create an environment where the individual can excel.
What is freedom worth if it cannot be used to better our lives? A liberal free society is one where members can rise above their limitations and expand their futures.
Liberals call it "The American Dream," and this dream is alive and well in every Liberal heart. Liberals believe in equal opportunities for all of its nation's citizens so that they may rise above their means, above their education levels and above their social status.
Liberals believe that each individual family should have an equal opportunity to make this world better for their children. Our nation was based on these Liberal tenets.
Liberalism is hardly the monster that it's described to be by Conservative Christian fundamentalists, Liberalism's unloyal opposition.
It is pro individual and pro family. It is pro community and pro country. Liberalism is by its very definition the lifeblood, heartbeat and soul of what it means to be a free American.
Unintelligent? Hardly. Liberal? Positively.
Christian fundamentalist Conservatives seem sure and they have persuaded the American public, that a Liberal is similar to a proletariat Communist Party member.
This is a smear tactic and proves that the speaker is uneducated in the basics of our American political system. This country's government was based on focused Liberalism.
The Declaration of Independence's tenets are: "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." Liberalism as a coined expression is taken from the root word of the second of these precepts.
A Liberal by tradition defends the concept of freedom and liberty of all people in this American nation.
A Liberal deeply trusts individuals and families to run their own lives in freedom and liberty. Liberals created our nation where anyone can succeed if they are willing to work.
The true nature of Liberalism is defamed by these Conservative fundamentalist Christians who spout misconceptions and their agenda is sinister in that it is counter to our freedoms.
The tenets of Liberal thought and policy are twisted by the misconceptions put forth too often by Conservative rhetoric. LIFE IS LIBERALISM: Freedom from physical dangers that can kill or disable us is Liberal thinking.
The Liberal firmly holds that it is our nation's responsibility to protect its citizens from physical harm, be it external sources like hostile nations or internal ones, like crime, disease, or hunger. Without the solid ground of physical safety, this nation and its citizens cannot enjoy the benefits of being free.
Thus, Liberals believe in a strong military that is properly armed to defend our nation. Liberals believe in just laws, honest hardworking police and a fair legal system to protect its citizens from crime.
Liberals believe in affordable health care for everyone, to keep our nation's people strong. Liberals believe in the common availability of food and shelter for all of its nation's needy, not as charity but as a reasonable step in establishing Americans toward self-reliance and the freedoms that results from it.
LIBERTY IS LIBERALISM liberals espouse our total freedom to do as our conscience dictates without interfering with another's rights.
After they rejected their oppression in Europe, our Liberal founders established this nation where personal belief and self-determination are protected, not persecuted, where hard work is rewarded, not demanded, and where each person is bestowed with the ability to better his or her life because of common citizenship, not inherent class.
Liberals demand total freedom of speech to protect us from political oppression. Liberals believe in logical and sane regulations to protect us from economic oppression.
Liberals believe in fair and equal just laws to protect us from social oppression.
Liberals demand quality education to protect us from the oppression of ignorance.
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS IS LIBERALISM :Liberals insist and demand the freedom to create an environment where the individual can excel.
What is freedom worth if it cannot be used to better our lives? A liberal free society is one where members can rise above their limitations and expand their futures.
Liberals call it "The American Dream," and this dream is alive and well in every Liberal heart. Liberals believe in equal opportunities for all of its nation's citizens so that they may rise above their means, above their education levels and above their social status.
Liberals believe that each individual family should have an equal opportunity to make this world better for their children. Our nation was based on these Liberal tenets.
Liberalism is hardly the monster that it's described to be by Conservative Christian fundamentalists, Liberalism's unloyal opposition.
It is pro individual and pro family. It is pro community and pro country. Liberalism is by its very definition the lifeblood, heartbeat and soul of what it means to be a free American.
Liberalism insists on freedom from tyranny of any kind, international or domestic. It demands that one must remove abuses and fight crime and it eliminates the very concept of a wasted life by its insistence on never wasting resources or opportunities.
Liberals protect every citizen from having other people's values imposed on them therefore Conservatives label Liberals as being shameful and wrong.. .
Conservatives define what your family should be BUT. -Liberals place you in charge of your own family
- support your right to define what your family will be
- fight for your family's rights against economic and political oppression
Conservatives insist that Liberals are anti-business.
Conservatives are pro-money and that always translates into monopolies which damage small business and damage competition, which damages us all .
Conservatives define what your family should be BUT. -Liberals place you in charge of your own family
- support your right to define what your family will be
- fight for your family's rights against economic and political oppression
Conservatives insist that Liberals are anti-business.
Conservatives are pro-money and that always translates into monopolies which damage small business and damage competition, which damages us all .
BUT - Liberals protect small businesses by regulating larger ones and breaking up monopolies -Liberals protect workers to create a healthy workforce that will help businesses grow
Conservatives say that Liberals are anti-religion.
Conservatives are often for one(their own) dominant religion and are by sheer definition therefore against others.
BUT. . . -Liberals support complete freedom of religion and freedom FROM religion so that citizens can be free to choose the manner in which faith is a part of their lives
-Liberals work to keep government totally out of a family's religious choices
Conservatives say that Liberals are anti-freedom.
Conservatives want to stop homosexuals, stop abortions, stop the women's movement and stop freedom of expression through the use of censorship.
BUT. . -Liberals insist that it is up to parents to teach values to their children
-Liberals believe that each person and family must be free to choose how to behave as long as it does not interfere with another's rights
Conservatives say that Liberals are anti-morality.
Conservatives are for one blindfolded specific kind of morality
BUT . . -Liberals are for the morality of free choice, where each person or family decides their own values
-Liberals want the government to protect our freedom to choose what is important to us rather than to impose the laws and codes of another's morality
Conservatives say that Liberals are anti-military.
Conservatives see the military as a means to impose their values and standards on others in the world and in our country.
Conservatives say that Liberals are anti-religion.
Conservatives are often for one(their own) dominant religion and are by sheer definition therefore against others.
BUT. . . -Liberals support complete freedom of religion and freedom FROM religion so that citizens can be free to choose the manner in which faith is a part of their lives
-Liberals work to keep government totally out of a family's religious choices
Conservatives say that Liberals are anti-freedom.
Conservatives want to stop homosexuals, stop abortions, stop the women's movement and stop freedom of expression through the use of censorship.
BUT. . -Liberals insist that it is up to parents to teach values to their children
-Liberals believe that each person and family must be free to choose how to behave as long as it does not interfere with another's rights
Conservatives say that Liberals are anti-morality.
Conservatives are for one blindfolded specific kind of morality
BUT . . -Liberals are for the morality of free choice, where each person or family decides their own values
-Liberals want the government to protect our freedom to choose what is important to us rather than to impose the laws and codes of another's morality
Conservatives say that Liberals are anti-military.
Conservatives see the military as a means to impose their values and standards on others in the world and in our country.
BUT .. -Liberals view the military as a key protection of freedoms and liberties which allows us needed room to pursue happiness.
Liberalism's Opinion on Issues: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness is the central motivation and the Liberal defends these tenets when deciding on a particular issue.
Liberalism's Opinion on Issues: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness is the central motivation and the Liberal defends these tenets when deciding on a particular issue.
This is why Liberals often take the stance they do:
Abortion- Liberty is the God given freedom to control your body, your reproductive system, and your future.
Affirmative Action - Liberty is fair opportunities for all those in society who are discriminated against.
Education - Liberty is the freedom to learn and thus build a better future for yourself, your family, your community, and your country.
Environment - Liberty is the fair allocation and use of our nation's natural resources for all citizens.
Abortion- Liberty is the God given freedom to control your body, your reproductive system, and your future.
Affirmative Action - Liberty is fair opportunities for all those in society who are discriminated against.
Education - Liberty is the freedom to learn and thus build a better future for yourself, your family, your community, and your country.
Environment - Liberty is the fair allocation and use of our nation's natural resources for all citizens.
Without unreasonable restriction to private enterprise, the government should protect our natural environment so that all may enjoy its beauty and bounty.
Gun Control - Liberty is the freedom to protect yourself, your family, and your property, with deadly force if necessary.
Gun Control - Liberty is the freedom to protect yourself, your family, and your property, with deadly force if necessary.
People have rights to own guns for that purpose. People also have a right to use guns in sports and when called on to form a citizen militia.
Liberal do not condone a right to own all the latest people-killing technology. Citizens through their government can restrict the sale of more deadly weapons .
Health - Liberty is the freedom to overcome physical limitations to better yourself, your family, your community, and your country.
Regulations - Liberty is the freedom to live and work in an environment that allows individuals and families to grow in the pursuit of happiness. Polluted air, polluted water, dangerous living and working conditions only kill that liberty.
Sexuality - Liberty is the total freedom to share intimate affection with the adult of your choice, regardless of gender.
Substance Abuse - Liberty is the freedom to decide what you put in your body. Unless a substance is a danger to unwilling citizens, its use should be kept legal.
Health - Liberty is the freedom to overcome physical limitations to better yourself, your family, your community, and your country.
Regulations - Liberty is the freedom to live and work in an environment that allows individuals and families to grow in the pursuit of happiness. Polluted air, polluted water, dangerous living and working conditions only kill that liberty.
Sexuality - Liberty is the total freedom to share intimate affection with the adult of your choice, regardless of gender.
Substance Abuse - Liberty is the freedom to decide what you put in your body. Unless a substance is a danger to unwilling citizens, its use should be kept legal.
In situations where use of a substance may effect bystanders, regulations as with tobacco should be enacted to protect the bystander without denying the individual's choice to use said substance. Smoking and non-smoking areas in public places are an example.
Women's/Minority Rights - Liberty is the freedom to be valued and judged on talent and work, not on your racial, sexual or physical characteristics.
Women's/Minority Rights - Liberty is the freedom to be valued and judged on talent and work, not on your racial, sexual or physical characteristics.
When Liberty is restrained by Conservative Christian fundamentalist's group's values, even if that group represents the majority of the population's freedom is at risk.
The only true defense of our values is the defense of our liberties. If you Conservative fundamentalists don't want to be forced to live under a foreign set of values, don't force others to live under yours.
Instead, fight for the freedom to believe as you want while allowing others to believe as they want.
Freedom of choice, not infringing on another's rights, is the foundation on which this American nation was built.
Liberalism is the ideology that strives to defend that freedom for everyone.
And for that reason I am proud to be Liberal.
History speaks volumes about what Liberalism has done for America; because of Liberals:
- African Americans have the right to vote.
-We value freedom of speech.
-We value separation of church and state.
-We value EQUAL opportunity for all.
-We value the working class.
-We want UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE.
-We support stricter gun control laws.
-We support woman's right to vote and to choose to have an abortion.
-We support legal recognition of same-sex marriage.
-We Support decriminalization of marijuana and less commonly all illicit substances.
The only true defense of our values is the defense of our liberties. If you Conservative fundamentalists don't want to be forced to live under a foreign set of values, don't force others to live under yours.
Instead, fight for the freedom to believe as you want while allowing others to believe as they want.
Freedom of choice, not infringing on another's rights, is the foundation on which this American nation was built.
Liberalism is the ideology that strives to defend that freedom for everyone.
And for that reason I am proud to be Liberal.
History speaks volumes about what Liberalism has done for America; because of Liberals:
- African Americans have the right to vote.
-We value freedom of speech.
-We value separation of church and state.
-We value EQUAL opportunity for all.
-We value the working class.
-We want UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE.
-We support stricter gun control laws.
-We support woman's right to vote and to choose to have an abortion.
-We support legal recognition of same-sex marriage.
-We Support decriminalization of marijuana and less commonly all illicit substances.
The war that Jesus fought against the Fundamentalist Religious Right in His time persists, as Liberals now battle against Conservative Right religious inspired bigotry against gays, women, and people of different faiths.
The insanity of right-wing economic theories that preach about the existence of an economic outer limits fantasy where the "free-market" takes care of everything and government is never needed has forced America to suffer unnecessary ravages experienced by almost all Americans these days.
It is Liberals who understand the reality of economics because they grasp the complexity of the business world and understand that American society requires social safety nets to protect working families from the violent swings of the marketplace.
It was the greedy trickle down fantasies preached by Conservative right-wing economists who are out of touch with reality, that caused our ecomonic debacle not the ideas promoted by Liberals progressives who fight for economic justice and reason.
The Fundamentalist Conservative Right has historically saluted the mindless pursuit of war; the warmongering of the Right must make everyone reject Conservatism.
Liberals must recognize and reject the war-obsessed American Right.
Liberals address the concerns of average Americans far more effectively than anyone on the Right.
When it comes to family values it is Liberals who have battled to restructure our economic system to allow for more family time.
When it comes to challenging our cultural decay, it is Liberals not Conservatives who are opposed to the materialistic values promoted by Wall Street and the advertising industry.
Conservatives always point their fingers at the debauched "liberal elite" not the true villain, a totally unregulated marketplace where commerce, not culture is worshipped.
Liberals are seriously concerned with our national cultural decay, and have a serious response to it.
Liberals need to engage college Conservatives in a battle of ideas on campuses.
It is only by fighting this battle with conviction on a junior level with younger minds that Liberals can beat back the Conservative ascendancy.
Without our Liberal roots and Liberal higher goals we would live in a repressive regime imposed by Conservative Christian fundamentalists and our national freedoms as we now know them would wither and perish on the American vine.
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More commentsGreat article Paul. I am of course a liberal Buddhist, but I cannot say that I dismiss out of hand all conservative Christian view points. I carefully consider them and then dismiss them :)
Joking aside, I do not dismiss all of them, but many of their views do tend to come from a lower consciousness point of view of self-centered greed hatred and delusion. I do wish that they would take a few minutes to clear their heavily indoctrinated minds and meditate occasionally!
Peace.............ePlease log in to respond to this comment.
I can see you in my mind's eye, sitting cross legged on the floor while reading this, burning incense from your belly button!Please log in to respond to this comment.
Interesting article but I think you have a somewhat idyllic view of liberalism.1. If you feel that liberals are so inclined to one's freedoms, then why were the restaurants in NYC forced to change their cooking oils? That law wasn't imposed by conversatives.2. Visit any one of our most crime-filled cities and you will find they are run by liberals mayors...Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and of course, the wondrous Camden, NJ - the most dangerous city in our country.3. Government has been running our education and look where we are with those statistics.4. You say that it is the Liberal's job to teach family values. The problem with liberals is that they are not teaching their children any values. Decency and respect are not part of the picture of the liberal mindset. If it were, maybe our children would sit down, shut up and pay attention in class.5. Television today has so much indecency which our children are able to view at any time of day or night. The media and TV are definitely not reflective of a conservative mindset.6. Conservatives are raising their children; liberals let the schools do it, thereby instilling and enforcing liberal views on all children.7. By far one of your most questionable statements: "Liberals view the military as a key protection of freedoms and liberties which allows us needed room to pursue happiness." I suggest you visit any American military base. You won't find a preponderance of liberals protecting our freedoms and liberties!These are just a few of my reactions to your belief that the liberal wants freedom. What I find with the liberal viewpoint is a loss of freedom.Please log in to respond to this comment.1. For the good of the whole. Left to themselves, businesses tend to try to increase their profits as much as they can get away with. Restaurants can no longer get away with using cheaper trans-fat cooking oils and for that I'm thankful.2. I don't get your point, are you saying the cities are filled with crime because of the mayors?3. The alternative? Education is the the #1 tool that fixes poverty. Do Conservatives believe the poor don't deserve an education?4. I've seen some pretty indecent and disrespectful Conservatives lately.5. The alternative to giving people what they want to watch, Conservative censorship? Parents should be controlling TV viewing, not censors, agreed?6. Where do you get this "fact"? I could agree that for the most part the poor let the schools raise their children, but what's that have to do with the Liberal/Conservative debate?7. I know quite a few liberal solders, though the majority would consider themselves conservative. Who is historically the party of censorship and book-burning? It was the Liberals who were protecting these liberties and freedoms. Which end of the spectrum is known for standing up for civil liberties?I think you are grossly generalizing and projecting your point of view as "facts." There's a whole other world out there, but you won't see it on Fox News.Please log in to respond to this comment.Thank you for commenting although I heartily disagreee with each point that you've made.Please log in to respond to this comment.Thanks for the commentsPlease log in to respond to this comment.Thank you for your reactions.Please log in to respond to this comment.you are free to feel that way because of LiberalsPlease log in to respond to this comment."If you feel that liberals are so inclined to one's freedoms, then why were the restaurants in NYC forced to change their cooking oils? That law wasn't imposed by conversatives."Since the change was to force BUSINESSES to stop using oils with particularly damaging effects on PEOPLE, and this a change for the good of the PEOPLE at the expense of greedy businesses knowingly causing harm to consumers just to make a few more bucks, this paragraph is the single most effective anti-Conservative and pro-Liberal paragraph I've seen for a long time!
The people are free to eat in restaurants without worrying about being harmed by trans-fat rich oils - that's the freedom the Liberals want to see. Not the freedom to knowingly harm the health of customers in order to make a few extra dollars!Please log in to respond to this comment.You must be kidding. A fresh trout sauteed in butter tastes by far superior to one cooked in some chemical-based product that is 'free' of trans fats. (Can't wait to see when France makes this change!) With all the added chemical ingredients in so much of today's prepared foods, and you are worried about fat? The sugar and acid in Coke is terrible on your teeth; the beverage is fattening; and it has no dietary value. Why not ban Coca Cola? And, don't tell me that Diet Coke is any better. Ingesting a chemical made to taste like sugar is better for you, right?The danger is not eating trans-fats occasionally; the danger is in eating these nasties on a daily basis. Now there's an idea. Why don't we teach people that eating in McDonalds or Wendy's every day is not a good idea. Maybe we could teach good nutrition in our schools like they did in the old days. Maybe if people could eat more home-cooked food and less chemically-prepared foods, they could then partake of a trans-fat occasionally.No, the answer does not lie in changing the oils; obesity is on the rise because people don't understand the value of limiting themselves. McDonalds is still fattening and a poor choice in good nutrition as well as the cookie, snack, and prepared food aisles in the grocery stores.Yes, I can see where the Liberal way definitely offers choice for all of us. Glenn Beck was right in his book, Arguing With Idiots.Please log in to respond to this comment."A fresh trout sauteed in butter tastes by far superior to one cooked in some chemical-based product that is 'free' of trans fats"Yes, and butter isn't banned. Or even relevant here.Fresh trout sauteed in natural cooking oil with little or no trans-fats probably tastes better than fresh trout sauteed in artificially hydrogenated cooking oil, and is definitely better for you.The ban applies to artificial chemical-based oils that contain trans fats (this mainly means artificially hydogenated vegetable oils)."With all the added chemical ingredients in so much of today's prepared foods, and you are worried about fat?"No, you have misread what has been said. No-one here has said anything about banning high fat foods.The ban isn't about fat, it is about trans-fats, specifically in artificially created cooking oils...oils which are used for reasons of economy and which are unnecessarily damaging to health.Your stuff about Coke follows on from your original misunderstanding - no-one here is talking about banning all foods that are potentially unhealthy.Liberals would agree we should be teaching people that eating in McDonald's every day is not a good idea, because they put people's health AND freedom of choice over the profits of restaurant chains.The only freedom they are restricting here is the freedom of restaurants to needlessly endanger the health of their customers by using cheap and dangerous artificial oils in order to save money and increase profits."No, the answer does not lie in changing the oils; obesity is on the rise because people don't understand the value of limiting themselves."Not the answer to completely healthy diets for everyone no, but changing the oils is a lot more specific than that - it simply prevents restaurants saving money by using cheaper but dangerous artificially hydrogenated oils. It is one step of the many that are needed to tackle the "obesity crisis".Yes, McDonalds is still fattening and a poor choice for good nutrition - no-one here is claiming otherwise.Arguing With Idiots seems quite apt, as many seem to be arguing with themselves - getting angered by arguments the Liberals haven't actually made :)Please log in to respond to this comment.Something very fishy about these aguments!Please log in to respond to this comment.After all is said and left undone, trans -fat-is merely margarine pure and simple and we've been eating margarine for years and years without any inkling of a debate!Please log in to respond to this comment.In the spirit of open-mindedness I should point out that there's at least one reasonably good argument against the trans-fat ban, but no-one has mentioned it here - banning trans-fats might cause some restaurants to go back to using oils with high saturated fat content, like Palm Oil, and thereby undo some of the health benefits of the ban.But even that argument doesn't make the ban wrong, it just means profit-motivated restaurants have a potential way around it which could allow them to continue unnecessarily damaging the health of their customers in order to maximise profitsPlease log in to respond to this comment.Butter in excess is just as bad as trans-fats. My point is that too much of anything isn’t good. Again, the answer is not in banning the ‘forbidden fruit’ but in educating people. That is something we are no doing. You can’t argue with that.My issue with your belief that Liberals allow for freedom of choice, however, rests with many of the issues currently at stake in the US today (not even going down the road of government-run healthcare). A government ban on trans-fat is not a choice; placing an additional tax on soda is not a choice. It is the government deciding what is best for us that they, in their infinite wisdom, tried to tell us that women under 40 no longer needed mammograms. (Surprisingly, even some Liberals balked at this one!) This country has managed quite well (not perfectly but better than most) to make the tremendous amount of progress it has in the fields of medicine, science, and technology primarily because government hasn’t been in charge. Sadly, much of that is changing. When I must finally resort to a fluorescent bulb to read at night, thereby enduring headaches caused by imperceptible flickering as well as the additional emission of RF energy, I will be absolutely thrilled at my ‘freedom of choice.’ When I am no longer able to control the temperature in my own home due to a law that allows for a government-run control, then I will have lost my freedom of choice – unless I can afford carbon credits, right?Please log in to respond to this comment."Butter in excess is just as bad as trans-fats. My point is that too much of anything isn’t good"Water in excessive amounts is fatal, too much of anything isn't good. We agree on that, although it isn't relevant to the ban we've been talking about.But the point about the trans-fats is that there is no need for them, other than to cut costs. The government has every right - in fact it has the responsibility - to step in and prevent companies causing needless damage to public health.I think that banning artificial trans-fat containing oils is a good step by the government (if they don't regulate stuff like that, the companies can do to us whatever they please!).I agree that it isn't the whole answer, and I agree that educating people is of key importance as well.The only choice being taken away by the ban is the ability of restaurants to choose to use needlessly harmful oils to save money.America's problems - a terrible healthcare system (on average...for a fortunate and wealthy few it is one of the best in the world), high gun crime, the failure of the banking system and comparatively poor education standards - can mostly be attributed to lack of adequate regulation by government.Of these, the banking crisis is the most obvious example where lack of regulation by government has allowed greed to run amok, and has impacted freedoms on a huge scale - never mind carbon credits, a lot of people don't have the freedom to control the temperature in their own home because they can't afford, through no fault of their own, the basic commodities like heat and power.The climate thing is another issue, but of course if global warming kicks off big time many people will certainly lose the ability to control the temperature of their homes - many of them would be underwater.Please log in to respond to this comment.thanks for commenting!Please log in to respond to this comment.thanks for commenting!Please log in to respond to this comment.After all is said and left undone, trans -fat is merely margarine, pure and simple, and we've been eating margarine for years and years without any inkling of a debate!Please log in to respond to this comment.thanks for commenting!Please log in to respond to this comment.
Thanks for commenting.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Paul, this is a very well written piece (I still like the Jewish Grandmother one best but for different reasons). I am scoring this on how well written it was and not on whether we agree or not... GRIN. That is what makes Searchwarp so beautiful - we can agree to disagree and still write for the same website and dialog and even encourage each other!Please log in to respond to this comment.thanks for commenting!Please log in to respond to this comment.
Paul, I am impressed. This is your best work yet. Very well outlined and defined. You stated your reasons and explained what liberalism is to you. Kudos to you! Blessings, TeresaPlease log in to respond to this comment.Much affection to you and bless you doubly for your kind heart.Please log in to respond to this comment.
I don't think I've read a better description of the liberal core beliefs. Excellently written opposition to the lies and attacks the far right make on moderates and the left leaning part of the public.Please log in to respond to this comment.The far right Conservative Bible thumpers seem often to be UnAmerican in their tyrannical views of what they think this country should be.Our founding fathers fought very hard against such views held in their Motherland Europe.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Paul, this is a powerfully articulated and well-argued piece. Whether people agree or disagree, you did an excellent job in stating your case.High marks friend, high marks.Please log in to respond to this comment.There are many 'rhymes and reasons' ;thank you for calling me a friend:paulPlease log in to respond to this comment.
Very well written, I can say that I'm liberal too. =)Please log in to respond to this comment.To be a Conservative is a heartbeat away from Totalitarianism.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Great thought provoking article Paul. I too do not agree with all your points but I still enjoy I think you did state your case well and I too agree with Teresa's comment.Linda DPlease log in to respond to this comment.Thanks Linda.Please log in to respond to this comment.
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