Politics

With a grin that captures the word “smug,” she strode out of the office, recognizing that her work was complete. The debate that she incited raged for the remainder of the dull afternoon with little input from those of us who actually work in that office. It is a military facility, and we liberals are in the small, outgunned, ostracized minority. Today, ravenous conservatives descended upon our undefended position to feast on our bleeding hearts.

Ok, that might be a bit dramatic, but the conversation did stretch most of the afternoon, and I got in hardly a sentence. It is very hard to defend the political left when the right has so much ammunition. Over the last few weeks, I tried to unplug from politics. I had heard that happy people do not concern themselves with such things they cannot change. Sadly, I feel so impotent and disengaged when I encounter these situations, I will forego my ignorant bliss for an informed anxiety so I will be able to provide a counterargument to those who have become deeply entrenched in their own ideologies.

Since I did not get to express my views today, all of you (since this is basically a private journal anyway, for all the attention it gets) shall be enlightened with my anathema of contradicting political views!

First thing’s first, I am a liberal. I believe in the protection of human rights, the principle of democratic rule, and emphasis on shared social responsibility. My ideal society is one in which elected leaders provide for defense as well as civil protection. I believe in an abundance of shared public facilities over personal property, but I do not believe that all property should belong to the state. I hope to one day live in a society in which people live in communal housing or in close proximity to one another out of desire to build social bonds. I hope to find a place in which the value of one’s life is based on their relationships and their experiences over their accomplishments.

I’m no economist, but I know this is a bit too rosy of a picture for a functioning economy. Somebody has to do the work, make the dollars, and put the food on tables. However, the ideals need not be abandoned for the sake of economic growth.

Given this ideal, you may think that I want to start an American revolution, get some socialist into power, and create the U.S.S.A., but that is exactly the opposite of what I want to do. I believe that the best policy for America is to embrace the fiscally conservative, socially liberal ideals espoused by the Constitution. Our founding document lays out more of what the government can’t do than what it can. This should indicate to those in charge of policy that the government should choose inaction over action whenever possible.

Now that’s a contradiction!

Allow me to explain: nations are formed by common values, not by borders. That should be pretty plainly seen in Africa or the Middle East, areas carved up by western imperial powers, perpetually pitting warring factions against each other. In the U.S., we have a wide variety of views, but ideals of personal liberty and individual responsibility pervade the common culture. A responsive government should play to these commonalities and build an American nationalism on pride for what we stand for, not fear of what we stand against.

And I’ll have to end it on that enigmatic note. Maybe I’ll explain tomorrow.