Posted on 02/18/2005 2:52:25 PM PST by loe joe
Some of my friends, family members, and co-workers wonder how I could be a political liberal in the midst of this new swell of conservatism the United States. The answers to that are all too simple.
I am a liberal because the system originated by liberals called Social Security has made my parents' retirement more possible and comfortable than it would otherwise have been.
I am a liberal because the system originated by liberals called Medicare paid for my mother to have two knees and a hip replaced at a cost that otherwise could not have been born by all of her children together.
I am a liberal because Medicare paid for my father's operation to remove a cancerous kidney at a cost that would otherwise certainly have forced my parents to liquidate their assets.
I am a liberal because that system originated by liberals called WIC gives my daughter food stamps for cheese and milk and other necessities she needs to feed her children.
I am a liberal because that system demanded by liberals called company-paid employee medical insurance helps pay doctor bills for me and my wife and my daughter and son-in-law and grandchildren and sister and most of my other close relatives.
I am a liberal because the idea of autonomy of the individual is a liberal idea.
I am a liberal because the idea of political liberty is a liberal idea.
I am a liberal because government by the consent of the governed is a liberal idea.
I am a liberal because the Bill of Rights is a set of liberal ideas which protect us all. Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of worship, freedom of the press, due process of law, freedom from torture, the right to face our accusers, the writ of habeas corpus, and freedom from unreasonable search and seizure are all liberal ideas. Most people in the world do not have those rights.
I am a liberal because those liberal ideas in our Constitution give us control of our representatives from the school board to the Senate and President of the United States, give us the liberal idea of checks and balances, and the liberal idea of no taxation without representation.
I am a liberal because the idea of public education is a liberal idea.
I am a liberal because the idea of a five day work week is a liberal idea.
I am a liberal because the idea of a strong, well funded and disciplined military under civilian control is a liberal idea, as is the notion of Veteran's benefits and military retirement.
I am a liberal because the Geneva Conventions are a liberal idea. The conventions protect American prisoners and all prisoners of signees from torture and abuse.
I am a liberal because the idea of the public maintenance of roads is a liberal idea.
I am a liberal because civil rights, children's rights, women's rights, and labor rights, are all liberal ideas.
I am a liberal because almost all the progressive ideas of the last four centuries have been liberal ideas resisted by the conservatives of their times. Those liberal ideas make this a better place to live for me, my family, my friends, my community, my country, and my world.
I ask people who insist on repudiating liberalism to please check off the liberal ideas above they are ready to do without.
2. I am a liberal because the system originated by liberals called Medicare paid for my mother to have two knees and a hip replaced at a cost that otherwise could not have been born by all of her children together.
3. I am a liberal because Medicare paid for my father's operation to remove a cancerous kidney at a cost that would otherwise certainly have forced my parents to liquidate their assets.
4. I am a liberal because that system originated by liberals called WIC gives my daughter food stamps for cheese and milk and other necessities she needs to feed her children.
5. I am a liberal because that system demanded by liberals called company-paid employee medical insurance helps pay doctor bills for me and my wife and my daughter and son-in-law and grandchildren and sister and most of my other close relatives.
6. I am a liberal because the idea of autonomy of the individual is a liberal idea.
I've never seen this list. I stopped at 6 because the list ceased making any sense. Up until 6 I disagreed with the ideas but I was able to understand how some could support them.
But 6 doesn't fit with. (1-5). They are mutually exclusive concepts and ideas. Under a ideal government, they couldn't coincide in pure forms.
Hey loe joe,
The "boatload" of liberal ideas you've floated has been shot full of holes.
I won't hold my breath waiting for you to try to refute the rebuttals, even though i wish you would as it'd be fun to watch.
To quote George F. Will when asked why he's a conservative: "I followed reason to truth".
Well.. yes, I admit to having my coffee thinned out at times.
;-)
Oh! It sounds like an intriguing job. Hazardous yet intriguing. Is this always under the cloak of anonymity?
Just like a liberal...wanting someone else to take care his mother. Lousy child if you ask me.
Can't tell
It's a secret
It should say I'm a liberal and I love conservatives.I love conservatives because it is their tax money that pays for all those fine benefits that my family receives.I also love conservatives because they are the people willing to fight and protect my freedom while us liberals will only talk tough.It's easy for liberals to love conservatives when they pay for everything with their money and blood.Now if they only would shut up and not remind us liberals of our worthlessness we would admit our feelings.
He's also a liberal because he's stupid and wrong. Uh, "liberals" didn't FORCE anyone to pay employee's healt insurance.
That came about when wage controls back in the what, 40's?, forced employers to find other ways to attract good employees.
Ahh, but the Sidebar Mods know that they can always use some of my coffee and they'll be ready for anything.
Too ready, actually.
The one broke Mach 1 while merely walking to refill the mug.
eat this - may fill you up.
bwahahahhaa
;-)
WAIT - YOU SAID WIC - YOU CANT AFFORD TO GIVE YOUR DAUGHTER CHEESE AND MILK????
what kind of scum are you?
An open question:
Why do FR trolls always insist on putting intentional misspellings into their posts (i.e. Jist)? Do they think it will help them fit in? LOL!
I think sometimes it is under a coat from the Salvation Army.
They have some pretty good coats there, though.
If you get in early. On a Tuesday. They sort the stuff on Monday.
Don't go on Monday. Fresh stock on Tuesday.
#222...I have a thing with numbers...
Thanks!
U Rewl!
Maybe it's okay for you to answer these two questions.
1. How often do you find it necessary to eat chocolate?
2. While watching television with you, who would be in possession of your tv remote control, you or your friend?
Allow me a moment to briefly comment on a couple of sentences you composed in your article titled, “Why I am a liberal.”
You state:
“I am a liberal because the Bill of Rights is a set of liberal ideas which protect us all. Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of worship, freedom of the press, (Amendment I) due process of law, (Amendment V) freedom from torture, (Amendment VIII) the right to face our accusers, (Amendment VI) the writ of habeas corpus, (not in the Bill of Rights, but stated in Art I, Sec 9, Cl 2) and freedom from unreasonable search and seizure are all liberal ideas.”(Amendment IV)
These examples, we can agree on.
However, in sentences both before and after the above remark, you then reveal an inconsistency, a contradictory state of mind, duplicity, and a selective application of the Bill of Rights that is dangerous to the liberty of fellow citizens.
For example:
“I am a liberal because that system demanded by liberals called company-paid employee medical insurance…” (violates Amendment V: nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.)
“I am a liberal because the idea of a five day work week is a liberal idea.” (violates Amendment V, same as above)
“I am a liberal because the idea of autonomy of the individual is a liberal idea.” (seat belt laws violate the “autonomy of the individual” protected by the Bill of Rights, Amendment IX: The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others (rights) retained by the people.)
“I am a liberal because the idea of public education is a liberal idea.” (yes Karl Marx made it one of his prerequisites for the implementation of communism. But since “public education” has the “requirement” that children must attend some type of schooling, these truancy laws violate Amendment IX as well.)
“and freedom from unreasonable search and seizure are all liberal ideas. ( this we agree on. But here is a test. Are the TAS search and seizures at airports an Amendment IV violation to the type of liberal that you are? It is to me.)
What happen to Amendment II in your definition of “liberal” ideas? In the context of the history of man, an autonomous individual to be free to “keep and bear arms” was an extremely “progressive” right when protected by our founding fathers. Why did you not mentioned that “liberal idea?”
Thank you for your time spent reading this e-mail message.
ROFL!
You did what I could not have done. Thanks for making it all crystal clear to even the DUmbest of the DUmmies. And thanks again for saying what I could not.
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