User:WaitingforGodot/liberal views

Liberals general accept the majority of the following. The hedge words (generally, majority) are there because no one liberal must sign onto any pact regarding views, no liberal must pledge to hold each item with the same value as another item, and no individual liberal's views are more or less important (especially to himself) than any other liberal.

In general, I would offer that libers:


 * 1) Place the value of humans and human needs over those of corporations.
 * 2) Believe in the idea that all people share fundamental equality, despite differences in race, gender, sexuality, economic or social standing, educational level, etc.
 * 3) Believe in the idea that each person is capable of making the right choice for themselves, if they are provided with correct information.
 * 4) Temper #4 with the idea that public safety and welfare come before personal "rights" if or when the two are in contention.
 * 5) Believe the government must show cause why personal liberty is restricted, but that there are plenty of cases where personal liberty (and certainly corporate liberty) can be regulated without harm. (Requiring air bags in cars, requiring people to register and keep pets up on vaccination, allowing people to protest at the DNC but understanding that some safety regulations are important for all.)  The issue for most liberals is temperament between individual liberty and public welfare.
 * 6) believe that when possible, nature should be protected and preserved if only because of the economic impact that occurs when "nature" is destroyed.  This does not mean all liberals think an owl should have rights over a new housing development.  It means, again, that one looks at the impact of the development and what other alternatives exist, then makes the best decision for all.  Sounds hedgy, but life is hedgey.
 * 7) believe that taxes are a necessary (though evil) part of life to support the American "lifestyle" and "dreams" for all, and that while it is important to monitor public spending, it would be suicide to simply say "lower taxes".
 * 8) Would generally place public education quite high on a scale of "what should we fund".  Would also place public health high on that list.
 * 9) Believe that laws and regulations should be based on logic, reason and debate, not religion.
 * 10) Believe that respecting other people and their choices is paramount to a solid society.
 * 11) Believes organized school prayer is a bad thing.  ;-)