Letter in the MS Clarion-Ledger: What being liberal means to this male

[lebkuchen]

What being liberal means to this male

I am a 54-year-old white liberal male. Here's what I believe:

I believe people matter more than things. I would prefer to err on the side of too much government spending than the survival of the economically fittest that has led us to increased poverty, more homelessness, more people without health care, underfunded schools, and seniors terrified by possible health care cuts.

I believe in one world. If we must give up a little bit of our national ego to get other nations to help us solve the world's common problems, that would seem by recent events to be the thing to do.

I will believe in affirmative action as long as I hear my fellow Americans continue to talk so often about "those people."

I am not so much pro-choice as I am pro-woman. When politicians legislate against adultery and restrict what we men do with our sperm, then I will reconsider the issue. No one in his or her right mind wants more abortions.

I am pro-marriage, especially marriage involving loving, caring adults who raise their children with good values just as my friends who happen to be gay do now.

I'm a Christian who believes that behavior matters. Why should I as a Christian go to heaven and my Jewish or Muslim friends who perform good works and pray for God's (but not Jesus') grace be consigned to Hell? Is that Jesus' version of heaven? I pray not.

I hope I never forget that my good fortune is not all my doing. I hope being white and male never count for so much again.
Behavior does matter. But as long as the richest are punished for the least for their crimes, then the poorest should be given the most compassion for theirs.

Jim Root

Ridgeland

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040731/OPINION/407310303/1009

[Deja Q]

1. I like what you have to say!

What do you think of the idea of a participatory society where in order to get your basic needs (and/or more) met, you participate? Our 'society', right now, is exclusionary and most of us do a lot of work for the little pay we get in return. Many can't get by on just one job either. People who don't have jobs are all stereotypes as being lazy good-for-nothing bums (makes us all proud of our country, doesn't it?)

Such a participatory society would include everyone, and ensure everyone gets basic needs and gets around the problem that if we simply give people everything, they'll just sit at home matching Ricki Lake all day.

[lebkuchen]

4. This isn't my letter, but it is a nice response to Trent Lott, isn't it?

The intellectuals in MS must really suffer that man.

[wellstone dem]

2. Great letter

Thanks for sharing.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Bravo!

Thank you for the wonderful letter. I especially liked your paragraph on choice for women and your paragraph about Christianity. Seems that many fundamentalists have forgotten Christ's message; it is obvious you have not.

[Rowdyboy]

5. Its comforting to know that this guy lives about 15 miles south of me

There may not be many liberals here, but there are a few of us!

[Gildor Inglorion]

7. Count me in! Way down here in south Mississippi!

Proud, liberal, gay, Vietnam veteran DEMOCRAT!!! :bounce:

[greekspeak]

6. How long until this guy gets a burning cross in his yard

or has his house burned down by raving lunatics? I admire the guy's courage, though, to be such an unabashedly proud Mississippi liberal that he felt compelled to write to the paper about it. That takes some cajones, muchachos!

[porphyrian]

8. But...but I thought all Democrats were cowards...

We are going to take this country back. We are legion.

[greekspeak]

9. Coward (noun) one who hides behind executive privilege to avoid the heat

and dish out lies like "democrats are cowards." I am glad to see Kerry grow some balls and say what he wants to say.

[librechik]

10. Republican response: He's just pretending

he doesn't believe any of that really, he's just fooling you so he can sneak in and bring his commie friends and Stalinist oppression with him.

WTF?