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.
She's been my life-long dream come true.
(oh boy, THAT sounds pathetic! LOL!!!)
I can't sing.
:(
Crows have better songs than I do.
*chuckle*
Oh man. NO comment!!!
YAh...mine lived 13 years on a farm, and I know he died smiling. He was found in a field when he had been sent to bring in the sheep. I know how you feel...
*chuckle*
Probably has alot to do with the fact that I'm tone deaf and can't sing.
I like my music to have too much bass and I love the smell of fireworks..
Situation: hopeless.
I'm a conservatine because of the way the liberals raided the SSTF for 40 years making it a bankrupt system.
I only sing when I have someone with me...I never sing solo...my voice cracks on the "high" notes...
*embarrassed smiley*
Mine's 10-1/2. She's had the hip surgery...and the arthritis is JUST starting to set in a bit. Not bad, but a bit.
I'll get another one. In a HEART beat.
I'll betcha yours did die with a smile on his face. These dogs are THE best...
I can't even sing with accompanyment.
Let's just say, what I said about crows sounding better than I do, I've been accused of being a crow made human.
That's how bad it is when I try to sing.
I like heavy bass, too!
And fireworks smell like...like...BURN OUT!!!!! High octane and soft rubber!!!!
*aiii! caramba!*
Naaaaaaaaa......you just sing away and enjoy yourself, as you're doing....being happy is one of the BEST attributes in a person. Just smile, smile, smile. If for no other reason than to put everyone OFF guard!
Yah...if I ever get into a place that will support a big dog, I'll get another German shepherd. I love dogs, but the Gs is a real DOG! There is no other breed like it.
Been listening to Nightwish lately, Winamp lets me dump more bass into it.
*chuckle*
As for the addiction to gunpowder smells.. I have to go to the local small arms shooting range with my .22 for my gunpowder fix.
LOL!
Were I to do that, I'd have the guys with the butterfly nets chase me down.
I got to know a Rott last winter...contrary to their initial appearance and reputation, THAT'S another dog I'd consider.
Gramps won't let me, but hey. :)
EEEEEEEEEeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!
I'm LEAVING now! Have a fun, safe, don't get banned Friday night everyone!!!
Welldang.
Go to the nearest drag strip and get some of that high-octane/burnt rubber stuff in your nostrils and breathe DEEP!
It's addictive! So is the sound.
(Of course, cordite has a smell all it's own! Put sound effects to it and you have the 1812 Overture, by Tchaivskovsky!)
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