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TO MY “LIBERAL” FRIENDS
OK. I'm tired of letting other people, i.e., conservatives, neo-cons, Nazi's, Christian Taliban, and whatever double-digit IQ, right-wing talk-show host who feels like opening his yap, define the term "liberal." And I'm tired of liberals shunning the word themselves because they let others define it.
In this battle with the forces of darkness, folks, we need to take back the word, and talk about what we believe, not in small, fly-specky ways, but in universal ways, ways that can stand up to our typical "everyone has a side" approach to things, because if we don't, we're going to continue to get creamed politically.
So let's start defining ourselves and making other people explain why they don't think what we are and what we think are valid, because I think we believe some pretty good things.
Here's my shot at it.
Who am I to have the temerity to write this? Well, it's about time somebody did. If you believe it, or, at least, most of it, spread it around. It's my contribution to the fight. The next time you get one of those oh-so-"American," good-old-days (before 'liberals' ruined everything) emails from someone (you know the kind I mean), reply with this.
Best,
Warren
P.S. If you don't happen to be a "liberal," sorry if I've misjudged you, but I'm still glad to be your friend.
The American Liberal Creed
Liberals recognize the value and rights of all people;
Liberals recognize that we share the world with others;
Liberals support the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights
and champion their equal application to all citizens;
Liberals champion knowledge above ignorance, learning above dogma;
Liberals recognize that the concept of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is futile without education, healthcare and employment;
Liberals recognize that government of the people, by the people, and
for the people is for the service and protection of all, regardless of economic status;
Liberals recognize that public works and institutions serve the public interest, and taxes support those works and institutions;
Liberals recognize that "every person for themselves" leads not to a diverse, enlightened and viable society, but only to jungle-like "survival of the fittest";
Liberals recognize that an individual, not government, controls their own body;
Liberals recognize that neither government nor commerce is suitable to meet all of our nation's challenges, that there is a place for both;
Liberals propagate this message, defend it, and vote for and support those who do.
© Warren Brown
2003 |
