Every day I see people who claim to be liberals spouting platitudes of hate and pettiness with which I do not readily agree. Every day, people who claim to want equality and respect, constantly trample on the merits of others who oppose them in the most disrespectful manner. In short, these people are not liberals. They are not conservatives. They are spoiled children. They wine and complain and demand respect when they have no intention of giving respect in return. They cry that they were taken ‘out of context’ while raining hellfire down upon others whom they gleefully take out of context.
It is repugnant. They are not liberals. I am a liberal.
Since there is debate over the difference between being a liberal and being a spoiled child, I am going to elaborate.
Politically, I am a liberal.
I believe that the most vulnerable of a society should be financially-aided up until the point that they are able to care for themselves. That includes children, the elderly, the mentally ill, the physically handicapped, the abused (women, children and men) and those who are in danger because of circumstances beyond their control. I believe if the government cannot afford all the necessary systems to care for these people, they should encourage private entities to provide assistance in exchange for tax breaks/ incentives. This could be the creation of partially subsidized meal programs, after school programs, self-defense programs, or simply the creation of subsidized shelters and classes that teach technical skills for people of all ages.
I have no problem if my tax dollars go towards helping those who need help.
However, I do not expect the government to do the leg-work alone (hence creating incentives for private entities). The government should primarily be focused on defense (military, police, fire department, etc), infrastructure (bridges, roads, making sure things don’t fall down, etc), providing basic services like clean water, and regulating everything else through the construction and enforcement of laws. I recognize that government (a large institution that is subject to ample red tape) is not the most effective manager, so it’s best to delegate!
Personally, I am a liberal.
I believe that all humans, whatever their sexuality, whatever their race, whatever their gender, should be afforded the same legal rights as everyone else. I don’t feel it is fair to discriminate against those whom you deem ‘different’. I don’t agree with the bullying or general culture of hate that comes from those who simply do not understand something. I don’t agree with people who label someone as a freak because they are transgendered. I think those people are ignorant, hateful and detestable. I hope they remember their hate speech when someone close to them identifies as transgender. I hope they are ashamed of themselves and make a change to accept those around them for what they are: human beings. I hope they do not dismiss them as freaks simply because they are experiencing something that they cannot understand. I do not feel that a transgendered man anyhow diminishes or invalidates my experience of being a woman. I think even suggesting this could be possible, is warped narcissism.
I think being a liberal means being open-minded to (and respectful of) the experiences and views of others. It is possible to exist on this planet and not explore how everyone else’s unique experience measures up to your own!
Spiritually, I am a liberal.
I do not believe in absolutes like Heaven and Hell. I do not believe that people are 100% good or 100% evil, but rather a mix of both. I think that after we die, we transition into another dimension and take another shape. Reincarnation is a distinct possibility. I do not believe that people who are religious, or believe in a Diety, are wrong or stupid for holding these beliefs. I actually have great reverence for religious people. I admire their discipline and sacrifice. I would never write someone off as ‘stupid’ because they are religious. It angers me greatly when ‘liberals’ choose to do this, as if they are better people, or their opinions deserve more weight, because they are not shackled by the belief in God.
Generally, I am a liberal.
Someone asked me recently how I could be married to my husband, who identifies as a conservative and would vote (if he had a vote) as a republican. This question surprised me. Why do I have to agree with someone’s opinion in order to respect it? Why do I want to be married to someone who thinks exactly the same thing that I think? What a boring marriage that would be.
Being liberal means that I am tolerant of other people’s beliefs, even if I don’t agree. What I am intolerant of is hate speech. I do not mind if someone says, “I think homosexuality is a choice.” This is a statement that greatly angers me, but it is the beginning of a conversation. It is an opinion that is being expressed by a person who holds this belief, and therefore, is open to debate. This person could be persuaded to change his mind.
What angers me is this: “Gay people are wrong and should be killed,” or “Bruce Jenner makes me sick!!!!” That is hate speech. This is the kind of thing that may result in bodily harm to those who are merely trying to live their lives. I have no respect or tolerance for this kind of rhetoric.
If you want respect, you need to give respect. Express your views in a respectful nature. I’m not saying you should try to tip-toe around things so as not to hurt someone else’s feelings. In this world, you are bound to offend people by merely existing. I would simply appreciate if you thought before you spewed your hate all over Facebook.
Especially when you identify yourself as a liberal!
HELLO THERE, THANKS FOR STOPPING BY…..WHY NOT PICK UP A BOOK….OR 7, BEFORE YOU LEAVE? DATING FOR DINNER, THE NEW YORK CATCH, NEW YORK SOCIALITE, NEW NEW YORK, (OR 3-IN-1 NEW YORK SERIES), RED ROCK CAFE, MIDLIFE WIFE.
La Dolce Vita 