"LIBERALS" - USING THE "L" IN PUBLIC. Just WHEN did 'LIBERAL' become a Dirty Word?

Since i have been writing on this site, i have been called: fag, socialist, communist, liberal, crazy democrat, hypocrite, anti-christian and referred to as 'you people' all of which i find rather amusing.

The only thing that confounds me is that "liberal" is now being used as a dirty word, a slur on one's character. ?

I am a liberal in mind, thought, beliefs, etc..., and am proud of that fact. Let me define liberal for those of you who think of it as a dirty word, then i will gladly tell you how, and why i consider myself liberal.

LIBERAL: According to Websters dictionary: one who is open minded, not strict in observance of orthodox, traditional or established forms or ways. An advocate of individual rights, individual freedoms and equality.

• I believe in freedom of speech, but not hate mongering as recently seen on TV where the radical right wingers carried signs of protest, picketed, and yelled obscenities at the family members, and attendees, of the funeral where they were grieving for a young military man, because he was gay. This kind of cruelty is unfathomable, and must not be endured or tolerated by anyone. I do not believe that the freedom of speech as defined in our constitution was ever meant for this kind of cruelty and hatred spewing.

• I believe in the right of choice by the individual woman to make an informed decision, along with her doctor, about having an abortion. The decision to bring a child of incest, rape, or that is known to be deformed, or not, is not the business of any government or religion's attempt to mandate morality. A healthy pregnancy terminated for birth control reasons should be avoided, and alternative choices for the pregnant mother, through counseling and involving her doctor should be explored first. (ex: adoption option).

• I believe in a government for the people, by the people. I do not advocate a plutocratic government as this one has turned into today. (Government by the wealthy, for the wealthy).

• I believe that lobbyists should not be allowed in Washington, and special interest groups (religion and big business) have no place, or say, in making laws to serve their own agendas, as is the common practice today.

• I believe this government is not idiomatic or was it ever meant to be. (Peculiar to a particular group, individual, or style - especially in its representation of any religious entity).

• I do not believe that the supreme court should have the right to declare corporations the same rights as an individual. They do not have the same rights. This kind of government corruption should not be tolerated. And yet we have a governing body that stands by and allows this atrocious behavior to occur unchallenged. It is hard for politicians to point a finger at the supreme court for being bought out by big business, when they are doing the same thing. We are putting politicians in office that are selling their loyalties to the highest bidders instead of representing the people who put them in office.

• I believe the quest for knowledge should never be compromised for the quest of money and power. Putting a prohibitive price on education that can only be affordable for the wealthy is wrong at any level.

• I believe that the Jewish faith should be banned, by law, from mutilating male babies at birth for some antiquated religious ceremonial belief. (Circumcision). It is barbaric and equivalent to those third world countries that are still doing circumcisions of female babies.

• I believe that religion should never be taught in schools. This "indoctrination" technique has gone on for way too many centuries and takes away the freedom of choice. It is like a cancer in our society. Teaching children to fear and hate anything that is different is destructive at all levels. It is a self perpetuating blight on society that is counter productive and thwarts growth by worshiping stagnant ideas based on fear.

• I believe that marijuana should be legalized, as it is less destructive than alcohol, both physically and mentally, and has become an enormous financial drain on society. It will never be eradicated, and the cost to try to stop it, is prohibitive to say the least. Legalization would significantly lessen the border tensions, and taxing it would be an excellent source of revenue for the government. Hemp production for making cloth, paper, and as a source of oil, both for private and commercial use would provide states with jobs, less dependence on foreign imports, and stop the destruction of our forests. The benefits far out weight the imagined destructive qualities.

• I believe that love should be the foundation of our society, not hatred. And the individual having the right to the freedom of choice of who they will love and who they will spend their lives with. This is not a decision to be made by any out dated religion or government ordinances. In spite of all the hateful rhetoric spewed from any text: love is a gift from God and should be cherished and exalted. Some people go through life never finding it and some people want to manage it as a commodity and take it away from others who feel, and deserve it, just as surely as those who would ban it. If we spent as much time trying to eradicate hate, as we do fighting to have it (love) only for the chosen few, this would be a better world for it.

• I believe that Christianity has fallen along the wayside and lost its true meaning according to the teaching of Christ. No where in the life time of Christ did he condemn love in any form, or in any fashion.

• I refuse to follow any religion, or government policy, that does not embrace the good of all people: that does not enforce equality for everyone: and allows this hatred and discrimination to continue.

• I believe that quality health care should be universal and affordable for ALL American citizens, and the only way to successfully do this is to put restraints on an industry that has shown no interest in doing this. This particular industry, above all others, should be devoid of greed for greed's sake, at the expense of denying health care to the people who cannot afford it. Self regulation by any business, corporation, or monopoly is not an option, as long greed is the motivator for our society.

These are what are called "liberal ideas". I stand my grounds. And by my convictions. Everyone has the right to their opinion as long as it does not restrict the rights of others.

Following a narrow minded illogical idiomatic group is certainly the right of those that do - but for God's sake keep it to yourself. Take your narrow mindedness into your homes and stop trying to convert everyone else to your narrowed view of how God intended man to behave.

I would sooner believe that our Creator is way more wise, diverse, (and yes even "liberal") than any of you who think and preach otherwise.

??Give me liberty, or give me death?? I don't think that statement was made by someone who would impose the restrictive laws on others that the conservatists would have us do today.

Call me a "liberal" if you must. I find it a compliment and thank you for it. I accept this recognition with gratitude and graciousness. And any of you who find the 'liberal minded' evil, i will pray to MY "liberal" God for YOUR enlightenment.

d.william 10/21/10