liberal schmiberal

I have voted democrat in the last few elections but I still consider myself an independent.  In this election we have heard not only democrat and republican but we also here terms like liberal and conservative. I think that these terms are not as polar as people make them. I think both sides have something of value to offer.

I agree with the fiscal conservative philosophy. I believe that the individual is better capable of managing his/her own affairs then the government. I also believe in personal responsibility. When something goes wrong in my life most of the time I am to blame. I think we have to be very careful not to blame others for our problems. I also do not think we should absolve ourselves form all blame when we find ourselves in a tough situation.

I do think this philosophy is only effective when the playing field is level. I think that government should realize that people are placed into situations that are inherently advantageous or disadvantageous. It is the job of government to ensure that all people have a fair chance to achieve to the best of their talents.  The inability for the conservative agenda to realize this is the source of most of my disagreements with them.

I also think that the whole idea of social conservatism is inconsistent with the conservative philosophy. Most fiscal conservatives would agree that the government should stay out of people’s way of advancement. I think this philosophy should also hold true for people’s personal lives. I think government should stay out of the personal affairs of others. I think that religion, sexuality, and other things of that nature are matters that should be decided by individuals without the influence of government.

I also think it is a failing of this Republican Party not to embrace issues that effect us all. The environment is something that effects everyone. This is the biggest problem that we face (I can make a very good argument for anyone that disagrees). It effects every part of our lives. I don’t see why environmental causes are considered liberal. It is in everyone’s interests to have clean air and ice caps that aren’t melting. It is in the interests of everyone that find a way to balance the need for resources with the need to consume them. Why is the need for energy sources that could sustain a growing population indefinitely a liberal idea? 

If there were less hunger there would be fewer people willing to perform acts that we would consider radical. I believe that desperation is a big motivation for much of the violence we see in the world. It is in everyone’s interests to end world hunger. Why is this not a conservative view?

I further fail to see the flaws in this ideology when you consider what the Christian God whom I worship and whom they claim to worship says about the environment and helping your fellow man. Why is the idea of being a steward of this creation not a conservative view? Why isn’t the idea of “whatsoever you do for the least of my brethren you do to me” considered conservative. For a movement that considers religions so important it seems ironic that the ideas that affect us all are not higher on the priority list.

I am not saying these views don’t exist in conservatism. I am saying that the way conservatism has presented itself leaves much to be desired. Maybe the liberal media is slandering them. Maybe they have bad marketing, or maybe I am just a TREE HUGGING HIPPY LIBERAL!

While it is true that in recent years I have voted on the democratic side I am not opposed to voting for republicans. With that being said, here are four republicans that I think are ok. I encourage others to try to add some to this list. Who knows next election cycle I may be pushing the (R) lever.

4. Bobby Jindal – The new governor of Louisiana. Text book fiscal conservative. Has based his whole campaign on cleaning up the corruption in one of the most corrupt states in the country. He wants to change the economic environment of his state to attract more business to Louisiana. So far so good. Don’t let the fact that he participated in an EXORCISM freak you out. (Yeah he really did…when he was in college)

3. Ron Paul – The congressman from the great state of Texas. He believes that the national debt is one of the things killing this country and I happen to agree with him. He also wants to adopt a non interference foreign policy which may not be possible in the interconnected world that we live in. Still it is a welcome change from the Dick Chaney kill em all mentality. Anyone who wants to blow up the Federal Reserve and go back to the gold standard deserves some consideration.

2. Arnold Schwarzenegger - The “Governator” of California. I love his environmental policy and his willingness to try new things. I don’t agree with everything he proposes but when he sees something isn’t working he is not afraid to blow it up and start over. His immigration and health care reforms were very bold attempts to fix unfixable problems

1. Michael Bloomberg – The governor of New York. Financial genius. Thinks completely out of the box. Getting things passed like a smoking ban. I like his education reform. The fast food restrictions to fix health care cost. Building a freakin wind turbine island off the coast of the biggest city in America.  I don’t know what is more remarkable. The ability to think of this stuff or the political savvy needed to get it passed into law. Id vote for him in a New York minute.

I’d love to hear from you especially if you consider yourself conservative. I defiantly want to hear from you if you want to add another name to my list.