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Liberals: Making a Difference since 1789 |
There are many misconceptions about liberals and the beliefs for which a liberal lives and fights. Self-proclaimed as a person who seeks to improve a society economically and politically, the liberals you see today come from a long line of brave individuals who stand up to the common and long practiced establishments which seem to be bent on keeping people down. Liberals, though, should not be confused with communists, for communists run off a set of doctrine that is unchangeable and unadaptable while liberalism is applicable in all areas of the world at almost any time.
The socio-economical standpoint which liberals debate is known as conservativism. The opponents in this political arena have been arguing evenly since the industrial revolution when the working class began to be unfairly exploited by the capitalist upper-middle class. To be a liberal doesn’t mean to do what other liberals do simply to be accepted into “pseudo-intellectual” conversations. It is not about brainwashing by “the liberal media” into leading a dissolute life. It is awareness of all people, instead of just the ones that have traditional power. Liberalism is standing up for what is right for all people as a group by taking steps into the future. Liberals oppose supporting the old ways of society and unfairness towards any people.
On the political frontier, liberals commonly side with a democratic leader or a leader for the people. In this governmental variation a liberal hopes for more government services to benefit more people. Welfare has been seen as a big issue because it promotes government dependence. I can testify, as someone who has been on welfare and lived in shelters, that it is not a free ride courtesy of our loving nation. It is horrifying and a poor way of living, and it is the best that most people on welfare can get due to a large number of disadvantages. It’s only fair that all people can get help when they’re down. True, higher taxes come with the support of a strong central government, but better school and community services are worth the money. The government should not be able to rule with an iron fist but simply serve “the greatest good for the greatest amount of people,” according to Jeremy Bentham.
Socially speaking, many Christian-conservatives consider most liberals to be immoral. This is based on biblical beliefs regarding choice of living, which in no way affects anyone but the person who has departed from traditional thinking. Being ahomosexual, non-Christian, or pro-choice supporter does not make a person immoral. Anything practiced safely and legally should be just fine. Legalizing gay marriages and marijuana use affects only the participants. It makes no requirements on conservatives who do not wish to take part in such practices. Therefore, liberalism puts more power into the individual to make his own choices based on what is best for him or her as a person instead of as a liberal or conservative. I personally refuse drugs while a few conservatives I know are hopelessly addicted.
I believe free choice in almost anything, be it right by common sense or common law. A group of people such as the conservatives cannot dictate the lives of people who may be less fortunate or different. I enjoy having open choices to advance myself. We should broaden the road so that humankind can progress naturally, for that has been that nature of humanity.