Jul 06 2008
Liberal, and Proud of It!
It always amuses me when so-called “conservatives” go spouting off about “liberals.” I grew up extremely conservative with liberal parents. Think Alex P. Keaton on a mean streak. This was during my rebellious period; I thought making Republican friends was the surest way to “the Top.” (In high school, I even started a Young Republicans Club chapter, but my friends all used it as an excuse to party; I was the only one who took it seriously.)
In college, I immediately sought out Republicans like myself. I wanted to surround myself with people just like me; people who loved only two things: money and power. I quickly realized that I didn’t like these boring, haughty people and definitely didn’t like what I had become. I went on an intellectual/spiritual journey that led me to the Green Party, Buddhism, and liberal causes.
I had realized that the benefits of compassion and generosity were far greater than those associated with fear and greed, (the emotions most commonly manipulated by conservatives and Republicans). And I found that the more I cared about other people, the richer I became — spiritually, emotionally richer — and I don’t stress out about money the way most of my peers do.
I know and love many people who just happen to be Republicans — and I certainly am not claiming that I am better than them — but I certainly do feel a lot better about myself since I abandoned the traditional Republican way of thinking.
Be kind to each other, my friends. It’s a lonely world. Why make it lonelier?
