I wrote these up during a lunch break today. My reason for doing this was simple: Every day, I hear conservatives all across the nation tell people about what they stand for, how great their principles are, and how the Founding Fathers would have loved what they stood for. And so every day, liberals are beaten around. There is constant division within the Democratic Party over where we stand on the issues, and it gets annoying after a while.
I'm not saying the principles I have come up with are right and must be followed to ensure electoral success. I just think that it's time we dig our heels in the sand and stand forcefully for what we believe in.
So here they are, the 13 principles of liberalism.
- America is a great nation, and we are proud to be citizens. However, we recognize the mistakes we have made that must be fixed.
- Government must regulate business. If they do not, profits may be great, but the abuses to the people will be even greater.
- Every person deserves a basic form of health care. The premise of good health is a right that belongs to all people, not just those with money.
- We support a strong national defense. However, patriotic ferver and issues of "national security" cannot be used to justify abuses of human decency.
- Abortion is a right of the woman, not of the government. The government can make regulations on its availability, but cannot deny it outright to the female populace.
- An emphasis on green energy in this nation is necessary to create new jobs and technology in the 21st century.
- GLBT people deserve all the civil rights and liberties they are entitled to, including marriage.
- In foreign affairs, it is better to cooperate with the nations of the world instead of forcing coercion that benefits only ourselves.
- While we recognize there are those who abuse the system, we believe that welfare is something that helps struggling Americans get back on their feet.
- Education in this nation should be retooled to focus on preparing kids for the adult world and developing their interests to the fullest potential.
- Infrastructure has been badly neglected in this country. New building projects can provide new jobs and a future of safe,reliable travel.
- Illegal immigrantion should be curtailed, but simply building a wall is not going to deter those who want a better life in America. Illegals who have been here for five years or more should be allowed to go through the process of obtaining citizenship.
And finally...
- Government is not evil or destructive towards society. Government has the potential to do great things for America if we choose to follow the right path.
Those are the principles I stand on. Will you join me?
(The use of 13 is meant to represent the original 13 states. It's meant to be a rip on Beck for his 9-12 crapfest.)