Why yes I am liberal

A friend the other day was listening me rant about politics and asked, “Are you a Democrat or a Republican?”

I replied that I was neither.

And that’s the truth.

I am however a liberal.

Yep, I went there. I admitted to being a liberal.

But here’s the thing: I think that our government should be big enough to make sure that our water is safe to drink, that our food is safe to eat, that our borders are secure, that our interests overseas are protected.

I think that we shouldn’t lose our homes or file for bankruptcy because someone gets sick.

I think that big companies don’t have the right to treat us however they want just because they give us a paycheck.

I think the government should stay out of my bedroom and out of my uterus and, in fact, should leave all medical decisions to me and my doctor.

I think that as long as there are tests, that there will always be prayer in school, but I don’t want teachers to take it upon themselves to school my children in religion. That’s my job.

I want to know that if bad times happen, that I’ll have help.

I want to know that I won’t have to eat dog food because it’s cheap when I retire.

I don’t believe in welfare - either corporate or social. But if my tax money is going to bail anyone out, I’d much rather it go to feed poor people than give CEO’s fat bonuses.

I know for a fact that there is health care rationing in America. Just try to get in to see a specialist or have your insurance pay for surgery for something that isn’t life threatening. But I understand that part of requiring that everyone has insurance means that there’s a larger pool of people paying for the few folks who REALLY do need the specialists and the life saving surgery. The benign mole on my ass can wait a few more days.

I believe we should take care of the Earth because we were made stewards of it by our God. Not to hurt some business or make it too expensive for you to drive your Hummer.

Most of all, I believe in the Golden Rule – Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. There’s no room for greed or selfishness in Jesus’ teachings – no matter what the pundits want you to believe.