In defense of liberalism
After a year fraught with political turmoil and polarization, I thought it fitting to make my last post of 2011 an explanation of why I feel as strongly about my positions as those on the right. This nation has experienced a lot of political turmoil this past year, and the next year promises to bring even more. I thought that rather than left and right coming at each other with claws out and fangs bared, it might be helpful for those who see things differently than I do to understand (though not necessarily agree) where I’m coming from.
First off, I’m not a godless heathen, despite what you may have heard from Rush Limbaugh et al. Like many other people in this country, I believe in God. I also believe in the separation of church and state. For me, my religious beliefs are deeply personal and important, and have played an important role in shaping who I am and how I view the world. I think the same holds true for many folks of all political and religious persuasions. Where I differ with conservatives is that I am adamantly opposed to religious beliefs playing any role in the law of our land. Opponents of abortion, same-sex marriage, death penalty, etc., often quote the Bible to illuminate and defend their viewpoint, but I actually think that this weakens their argument. Conservatives speak about wanting less government in citizens lives, and creating laws based on religious principles is a direct violation of our constitution and of conservative principles.
I think that conservatives often misconstrue liberals as people who don’t value traditional family values. It couldn’t be any less true in my case. I am the poster child for convention and tradition. I was schooled in a private religious day school (albeit a Jewish one), and was raised with a strong understanding and appreciation for my faith. I was a public school teacher, which is a job that I left to raise my daughter. My husband and I work hard to live on one salary (plus the bit that I make from my part time work), we live in a small home, and he does all the repair work himself. We incorporate our heritage and faith in the traditions that we are creating with our daughter. I mean, really…how much more conventional can I be?
So why aren’t I a conservative? It’s not because I don’t value family, or because of a lack of faith. To put it simply, it’s because my life choices are exactly that…a choice. And I don’t want the government to play a role in determining those choices for me or anyone else in this country. I want everyone to have the right to make their own decisions about how best to live their lives without the government playing a role in that. It’s fine to live your life as the Duggar family does, or as a homosexual couple, or as a single man or woman. No one’s choices are more moral than anyone else’s. Our country was founded on the freedom to make these decisions for ourselves as we see fit, without the government legislating these choices.
OK…round two. I believe that the government provides important services and a social safety net for its citizens through government programs(another area where conservatives and I disagree). While many conservatives view government programs as an infringement on their rights, I disagree. For me, programs like Medicare/Medicaid, food stamps, WIC, unemployment benefits, Social Security, and numerous others is how the government cares for its citizens while still maintaining a separation of church and state. The argument in favor of government programs is a moral one, not a religious one, and for that reason, I stand behind it with every fiber of my being. While I am opposed to religion playing a role in legislation, I am an enthusiastic proponent of morality and concern for my fellow man playing a role in shaping the laws of our land. And yes, I’m aware that those are principles that are a part of religion, but they transcend any one religious belief. It’s why a Jew, a Christian, a Muslim, an agnostic, a Buddhist, and an atheist (sorry to any religion I left out…) is capable of caring for his or her fellow man, because that morality is an important part of our human moral code.
And there it is…my brief defense of liberalism. I am pretty sure it’s not going to win the hearts and minds of those who feel differently than I do, but I thought it was time that the record be set straight about what being a liberal really is. I wish all my friends of all beliefs a joyous new year, and look forward to continuing a spirited and respectful debate in 2012.
