Since when did “Liberty” become a dirty word?
In case you hadn’t heard… apparently the Liberal “establishment” is working hard to destroy America and all of its values with radical ideas like diplomacy, charity, science, environmental awareness, education, healthcare and the arts. They also apparently love taking money from hard working Americans (banks and corporations) and giving it to the lazy poor (unemployed middle-America) and illegal immigrants (the people who do all of the work that lazy Americans refuse to do). Clutch the pearls, Martha! What ever will we do?
But hey… we all support the toops, dont we? Of course! And thank goodness our brave soldiers sacrifice their youth and their lives so that we can all live the American dream: Living beyond our means in a nearly bankrupt country driving American cars made in Mexico that cost $80 a tank to fill with gas and destroy our environment, driving on crumbling roads on our way to work 50+ hours a week with limited or no health or retirement benefits or job security for a company that made $800 billion in profites last year but only paid $16 in taxes until we collapse in our mid 70′s from lack of adequate preventative healthcare.
But at least we’ve got good cable!
I believe in Liberty… so yes, I am proud to say I am a Liberal. These are some of the things that I believe:
1. I beleive that it is your right, as an American, to do whatever you want as long as it doesnt harm anyone else.
2. I beleive that if we want to be as great of a country as we all say we are that we should start acting like it… and this means FIRST and FOREMOST start taking care of our own:
- Universal healthcare and top-notch education (including college) for everyone.
- Eliminate welfare (the hand-out system) and create a work-fare system (a hand up) and put people to work and restore their dignity. If people are capable of working and refuse to then they get nothing.
- Eliminate homelessness. See last bullet point, and where that does not apply (for the mentally or physically ill) see the first bullet point above.
3. I beleive in the Fair Tax. It just makes sense to me. Our tax code is too complicated and has too many loopholes. Also, no tax exemptions for corporations or churches.
4. I believe that the government should provide more than just a strong military. I think it should also (competently) govern or provide oversight for anything that involves the health or wealfare of its citizens, including healthcare, education, public safety, transportation, energy, the environment and banking/lending to name a few. Sorry people – the banking crisis, housing bubble and Louisiana oil spill are just a few cases that clearly prove that the Free Market will not govern itself effectively in areas that (a) involve potential gigantic profits and (b) directly affect the health and well being of Americans.
Conversely, I think it should stay the heck out of your personal business which would include but would not be limited to your body, your communications, your sexual preference, your religion… things of that nature.
5. I beleive that all Americans should have to serve in a public capacity (local, state or national government… or in a foreign service/diplomatic capacity) at least once in their lifetime… kinda like Jury duty. I think part of the problem that we have in this country is that people really dont understand how our government works or how we do (and should) interact with others around the world. They just pay their taxes and put up with the BS. I really dont think people realize that they CAN affect change or that change is happening other places in the world.
6. I believe in term limits and limiting campaign contributions. I also beleive that all public officials should have all of their financial records made public via the internet and updated weekly… especially campaign contributions, travel expenses, etc.
7. I beleive that we should eliminate lobbyists altogether. Corporations and special interest groups should have no more voice than the average American in our government.
8. I believe that we – as a country – should embrace the larger concepts of charity, diplomacy and discovery as guiding principals.
That’s all I can think of right now. Maybe I will add more later. Why dont you tell me what YOU beleive in?
