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.
Exactly, because they have found a whole new voting block there.
Great recipe. This sounds like a good one! Thanks for all the tips.
GO, Girl!
Cremora is awful. This is the first I've heard about the headache and racing heart connection. For creamer, real milk or even half and half is good.
ROTF.....I see that all the time! The best one was at a Ralphs Market in Ventura. She bought 10 rib eye steaks and 2 live lobsters. Then pulled out food stamps.
LOL!
Thanks!
I use canned milk...
My mother used canned milk, and after trying everything on the market, I went back to canned milk...natural, creamy and no side-effects. Try it. You'll like it.
(A hershey's chocolate syrup can's yellow plastic lid is a perfect fit for an opened can of milk.)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1345678/posts
LOSING OUR DELUSIONS: Not Much Left (Despondent Liberal on state of Liberalism)
New Republic ^ | 2/17/05 | Martin Peretz
Great idea! Canned or will condensed also work?
Thanks!
Yes, the creamora truly is hideous stuff.
It has a plastic taste to it.
I don't even want to start on the welfare horror stories...we'd be here all night!
(Wait. We already ARE!)
Translation: I am a liberal for the government handouts that come at my neighbors expense.
No, condensed is for baking. It has sugar in it.
Evaporated is what you need.
The FIRST time someone asked that of a Mod, they were banned.
The SECOND time......well, we don't KNOW what happened. Careful there. That chocolate question can be a DARK secret that you may not want to delve into.
You are SO bad! LOL!!!!!!
The kids ate Alpo.
The sound of zipped lips.
You're kidding right?
You are SUCH a dog!
LOL!
All I can say is: I hope it was worth it for you!
*still giggling*
Tell THAT to the poor Mod who spent the night in the restroom.
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