I consider myself a progressive person, so what does being a progressive mean to me? Well let me say up front that I'm a moderate Democrat so I get that out of the way. I cannot speak for all bleeding heart liberals; I can only express things through my own point of view. First and foremost I think being progressive means being tolerant and non-judgemental. Accepting everyone for who they are and what they bring to the table is, for me, the hallmark of progressive ideology. Being accepting of everyone regardless of age, gender (or identity), race, religion (or lack thereof), orientation, or even political persuasion is the foundation from which all of my beliefs and views spring forth. I try my best to accept and respect all people and value their humanness and worth. Everyone is worth being treated with dignity and respect, even if they hold different ideas or beliefs than I do. This is one of the reasons I lean toward saying Happy Holidays versus Merry Christmas this time of year. There are numerous holidays that occur through December and January and I like to wish everyone the joy of the season. But I don't begrudge anyone who chooses to say Merry Christmas at all. I just choose to take the more broad approach. It doesn't mean that I am fighting a war on Christmas at all. Even in the purely Christian tradition I feel like Happy Holidays includes both Christmas and New Years.
Issues like abortion and LGBT rights are especially important to me. I'm not a proponent of abortion, in fact I'm personally against it, but at the same time I don't believe I have the right to force my opinion on someone else and choose for them. I guess, being a gay man, I'm lucky that I never have to face such a decision; but if I were in that position I would want the decision to be mine and not someone else's forced on me. Similarly, as a gay man, I want LGBT people to be accepted and respected, not necessarily agreed with. Tolerance does not equate with agreement. I firmly hold that it's possible to disagree without forcing opinions on one another. I don't, for example, judge right wing conservatives for their closely held beliefs; the issue I have with them is when they attempt to legislate their position in order for force everyone to exist under and comply with their more narrow set of values. If you don't think being LGBT is right then by all means don't be that way; but please don't expect us to change or conform to your beliefs. We have just as much right to exist and live our lives freely and openly as anyone else does. Why is that so hard to understand? Jesus commanded us to love our neighbor as ourselves but didn't qualify that by specifying straight neighbor or white neighbor, or even Christian neighbor. What really chaps my ass the most is when someone has their own issues but still wants to pass judgement on mine. There's a person I've had to cut out of my life because my being gay was such an aberration, yet they are on their third marriage and have a history of infidelity. I suppose it's justified since it has all been within the norm of heterosexuality. There are countless nationally known conservatives in this same situation, with multiple marriages and infidelities that turn around and want to legislate who I am able to love or marry. Why is it alright to hold that do as I say not as I do philosophy? I do believe that these views are extremist as I know plenty of Republicans who support the rights of LGBT persons, and even some who are pro choice.
I also support progressive ideals such as universal healthcare and assistance for those who cannot support themselves. I'm not in favor of the currently proposed tax cuts for the wealthiest people. Rather, we should be investing in infrastructure, Socials Security, Medicare and Medicaid, education, and food assistance programs. I believe by caring for the least among us we are able to follow Christ's example and improve society as a whole. Our infrastructure is crumbling and investing tax dollars in this area would create new jobs and bolster economic growth. Solidifying Social Security and Medicare will help assure income and health coverage for older folks and those with disabilities, while investing more in expanding Medicaid and food assistance programs would provide more adequate help to those who most need it. Our educational system also needs significantly more money. Schools need to be able to afford the best teachers, equipment and technology to improve the education received by students. I'm also on board with free tuition to public universities. Students shouldn't have to mortgage their futures by taking on a mountain of debt in order to obtain a degree. Finally I'd like to say a few words about the environment. I believe science has proven the existence of climate change and the necessity of taking action soon so that we can have a positive impact. John F. Kennedy once spoke about how we all breathe the same air and all cherish our children's future. I believe this applies to climate change as much as it did to the potential of nuclear annihilation. If we remain on the same course as we are currently on, the climate will likely come to a tipping point where life on Earth as we know it will be forever changed and unsustainable.
I know I'm not the only one who holds these progressive views, and I'm wholly aware that there are many who would disagree with my positions. I guess that's the biggest difference I perceive between Democrats and Republicans; Democrats embrace diversity and champion the causes of minorities and the less fortunate while some Republicans are the antithesis of that, focusing on repeal of the Affordable Care Act, reversing the legalization of same-sex marriage, and cutting programs and services so that a giant tax cut can be given to the wealthiest among us. Civility and compromise have gone to the wayside in government and therefore nothing is getting accomplished. I hope this more political posting hasn't offended too many people, but I thought it was worth the insight into what my own predilections and proclivities are. Maybe that would disqualify me from your dinner table but it shouldn't. In the end we're all human, we all have our issues and beliefs; we just need to start listening to and respecting one another even when we disagree. I challenge my fellow progressives to get to know a conservative, and vice versa. Don't be afraid to share your views and be willing to listen to the opposing viewpoints. Compromising has traditionally been the norm in the governing progress and I feel like we need to get away from this all or nothing on both sides of the aisle. It is only in our unity through diversity that will take us where we need to go as a country!
Issues like abortion and LGBT rights are especially important to me. I'm not a proponent of abortion, in fact I'm personally against it, but at the same time I don't believe I have the right to force my opinion on someone else and choose for them. I guess, being a gay man, I'm lucky that I never have to face such a decision; but if I were in that position I would want the decision to be mine and not someone else's forced on me. Similarly, as a gay man, I want LGBT people to be accepted and respected, not necessarily agreed with. Tolerance does not equate with agreement. I firmly hold that it's possible to disagree without forcing opinions on one another. I don't, for example, judge right wing conservatives for their closely held beliefs; the issue I have with them is when they attempt to legislate their position in order for force everyone to exist under and comply with their more narrow set of values. If you don't think being LGBT is right then by all means don't be that way; but please don't expect us to change or conform to your beliefs. We have just as much right to exist and live our lives freely and openly as anyone else does. Why is that so hard to understand? Jesus commanded us to love our neighbor as ourselves but didn't qualify that by specifying straight neighbor or white neighbor, or even Christian neighbor. What really chaps my ass the most is when someone has their own issues but still wants to pass judgement on mine. There's a person I've had to cut out of my life because my being gay was such an aberration, yet they are on their third marriage and have a history of infidelity. I suppose it's justified since it has all been within the norm of heterosexuality. There are countless nationally known conservatives in this same situation, with multiple marriages and infidelities that turn around and want to legislate who I am able to love or marry. Why is it alright to hold that do as I say not as I do philosophy? I do believe that these views are extremist as I know plenty of Republicans who support the rights of LGBT persons, and even some who are pro choice.
I also support progressive ideals such as universal healthcare and assistance for those who cannot support themselves. I'm not in favor of the currently proposed tax cuts for the wealthiest people. Rather, we should be investing in infrastructure, Socials Security, Medicare and Medicaid, education, and food assistance programs. I believe by caring for the least among us we are able to follow Christ's example and improve society as a whole. Our infrastructure is crumbling and investing tax dollars in this area would create new jobs and bolster economic growth. Solidifying Social Security and Medicare will help assure income and health coverage for older folks and those with disabilities, while investing more in expanding Medicaid and food assistance programs would provide more adequate help to those who most need it. Our educational system also needs significantly more money. Schools need to be able to afford the best teachers, equipment and technology to improve the education received by students. I'm also on board with free tuition to public universities. Students shouldn't have to mortgage their futures by taking on a mountain of debt in order to obtain a degree. Finally I'd like to say a few words about the environment. I believe science has proven the existence of climate change and the necessity of taking action soon so that we can have a positive impact. John F. Kennedy once spoke about how we all breathe the same air and all cherish our children's future. I believe this applies to climate change as much as it did to the potential of nuclear annihilation. If we remain on the same course as we are currently on, the climate will likely come to a tipping point where life on Earth as we know it will be forever changed and unsustainable.
I know I'm not the only one who holds these progressive views, and I'm wholly aware that there are many who would disagree with my positions. I guess that's the biggest difference I perceive between Democrats and Republicans; Democrats embrace diversity and champion the causes of minorities and the less fortunate while some Republicans are the antithesis of that, focusing on repeal of the Affordable Care Act, reversing the legalization of same-sex marriage, and cutting programs and services so that a giant tax cut can be given to the wealthiest among us. Civility and compromise have gone to the wayside in government and therefore nothing is getting accomplished. I hope this more political posting hasn't offended too many people, but I thought it was worth the insight into what my own predilections and proclivities are. Maybe that would disqualify me from your dinner table but it shouldn't. In the end we're all human, we all have our issues and beliefs; we just need to start listening to and respecting one another even when we disagree. I challenge my fellow progressives to get to know a conservative, and vice versa. Don't be afraid to share your views and be willing to listen to the opposing viewpoints. Compromising has traditionally been the norm in the governing progress and I feel like we need to get away from this all or nothing on both sides of the aisle. It is only in our unity through diversity that will take us where we need to go as a country!
Well said! I appreciate your encouragement to listen to all voices.
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