Egads! Have I Gone Liberal?

by Bruno
WryteStuff

Looking back at which I've written over the past few months I'm starting to question if I've gone liberal!

Throughout my life I have been determined not to be defined by labels, but rather I want my actions to speak for who I am and what I believe. Lately my beliefs have come into question, so I need some honest feedback from you.

Many of you have witnessed my soul searching through my writing on SearchWarp for the past few months. I don't think that my beliefs have really changed at all, but it seems like one morning I woke up and all the boundaries had changed and I was no longer where I thought I was.

I went back to writing as a way of sorting out my thoughts. Writing doesn't come easy to me, and I appreciate all the feedback I've received. Now I need you to be completely honest with me.

On my last post I received a comment which really sums up where I'm at. The comment accused me of not understanding what being a conservative meant and stated that I was instead a liberal. I'd like to use my response to that comment to solicit your feedback here. What follows is a modification of my response to that comment:

---

All my life I've considered myself a conservative. I've been a registered Republican since voting age, I've listened to Rush Limbaugh for years and years (though not much lately), I'm a Southern Baptist from deep in the heart of Texas, voted for George W. 4 times (twice for governor). I'm a small business owner and I've started dozens of small businesses. In fact, I lead a group of capitalist small business owners which meets weekly. I've given quite a bit of my time and resources to pro-life causes. I am, literally, a card-carrying member of the NRA. Before the last election cycle I typically voted straight ticket Republican. Though I know hundreds of people in and around my neighborhood, I don't think I know any who are not conservative & Republican.

This being said, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it probably is a duck. Maybe I should give up on thinking I'm a conservative and accept the liberal label. This is something I've given quite a bit of thought to lately.

Here are a few questions I've been asking myself:

Can I believe that Americans need to sharply curtail our dependence on foreign oil and still be a conservative?
Can I feel a responsibility to help the poor and unhealthy and still be a conservative?
Can I try to do my part in protecting the environment and still be a conservative?
Can I believe the overwhelming scientific evidence of global warming and still be a conservative?
I try to be tolerant of other peoples' race, religion and lifestyles. I go out of my way to help others from a difference race, religion or lifestyle feel welcome when they are around me. Can I do this and still be a conservative?
Can I see two or more sides to the issues and still be a conservative?
Can I believe that paying taxes is necessary for living in a civilized society and still be a conservative?
I believe there are many things the government can do better than the private sector, mainly in areas where the poor would be underserved by a free market (like infrustructure and utilities.) Government is also necessary to enforce laws which keep private enterprise from unfair trade practices. I believe those who say that the smaller the government is, the better, have not thought through this very well, and have never visited a country where there is no government. Can I still believe this and be a conservative?
I prefer diplomacy over guns and missiles. I know there is a time and place where guns and missiles are necessary. (I routinely carry a concealed handgun.) I still think diplomacy should be tried first and given every opportunity to work. Can I believe this and still be a conservative?
Finally the issue of abortion: This seems to be the issue used most to define conservatives and liberals. I am adamantly pro-life, but I know others who are pro-choice and they consider it an insult when they are called pro-abortion. They do not believe that abortion is murder, and this we disagree on. Other than this, however, these people are very moral people. Some of them contribute regularly toward causes which reduce the number of abortions in America (this is the goal, right?), much more so than the vast majority of pro-lifer's that I know. I respect them because they walk out their convictions instead of just talking about them. Can I do this and still be a conservative?

---

I don't know. Maybe I've gone off the deep end. I really think that I haven't changed my stance on any of the above issues since I was a teenager 20+ years ago. Have I been a liberal all this time? Have the definitions changed?

I think that most of the conservatives that I know would agree with me on most of the issues above. Are they fooling themselves too?

Article submitted Saturday, January 31, 2009 & read 22502 times.

Bruce Horst loves all his jobs, working with incredibly intelligent people.

Please log in to leave your comments.

» left by Sandra E. Graham from Paragould, AR USA (3 years 5 days ago.)

Bruce, I had you plugged as a conservative halfway through your article; now I'm convinced you're a liberal. A liberal in conservative's clothing! No doubt about it.

By the way, look at my sweet face on the cover of all my articles--I'm a liberal and I carry a 40 cal. Barretta everywhere I go!

Great article, now I'm worried about my own politics!!!

Sandra

» left by Bruno (3 years 3 days ago.)

Wow, Sandra, my respect for you continues to grow! I didn't know that you were a pistol packing mama.

Thanks for your comments!

» left by Michael Gaffley (3 years 5 days ago.)

i feel your pain, confusion and identify with your dilemma. keep the faith though

» left by Bruno (3 years 3 days ago.)

Thanks for your comments, Michael.

» left by Ben Morrish (3 years 4 days ago.)

You seem to be a thoughtful, sensible bi-partisan person to me - with a positive independence of thought that helps you avoid blindly following either "herd".

(in response to the definitions posted by an earlier commenter: Strangely on the abortion issue, it seems to be liberals who want to put choice into the hands of individuals rather than the government, and conservatives who want the government to ban it)

Don't be ashamed that you are capable of looking objectively at both political extremes and evaluating the positives and negatives of both.

Be proud of it!

» left by Bruno (3 years 3 days ago.)

Thanks Ben. I am determined to be proud of it, though it often seems like a curse.

» left by Barbara Clark (3 years 4 days ago.)

Bruce, I feel that the labels we use to define us don't really define us: that is not who we are. Look deep inside yourself and you'll see your God-given goodness. What politics you choose to support won't matter. I was raised "a liberal" and people would call me one now, too, but it does not define me. Thanks for sharing yourself with us. Warmly, Barbara

» left by Bruno (3 years 3 days ago.)

Thanks for your comments, Barbara.

» left by Deborah Hall-Branch (3 years 4 days ago.)

Bruce,

Absolutely fantastic article. I agree totally with Teresa's comment. Taking a quick survey back myself over this country's sometimes harmful created vernacular, we've always been labelistic, categorized, placed in groups. But, what's more important as a Christian is that you remain standing on your firm belief. Your own personal conscious survey that you've taken is evidence you've already received a label, "Christian." Stand with that.

Deborah

» left by Bruno (3 years 3 days ago.)

Thanks for your comments, Deborah. I guess what I'm concerned with is the fact that some people consider the 'liberal' label contradictory to the 'Christian' label.

This is something I just can't reconcile.

» left by Jennifer Cuddy (3 years 3 days ago.)

Hmm..well if all of the above is what defines a conservative, then it is certainly an embarrassment to be one.

» left by Bruno (3 years 3 days ago.)

Thanks for your comments, Jennifer.

» left by Timothy A. McGinty (3 years 3 days ago.)

Very intesting dilemma you are facing. However, I msut ask you the following: If you are detemined to live your life not being defined by labels but ratther by your actions defining who you are, does it matter what others might label you as? If you are authentic (true) to yourself and you act authentically what power will other's labels have over you? NONE!

» left by Bruno (3 years 3 days ago.)

Point taken. Unfortunately labels do have power in and of themselves. I think the label of 'liberal' has been unfairly affixed to me, and this could do some harm to my reputation among certain people. Maybe there's not much harm left to do, or maybe this is something I shouldn't be concerned with. I guess that's what I'm trying to figure out.

» left by Cheryl Janecky (3 years 3 days ago.)

Excellent summary of a difficult question.

Do you need a label? I suspect that once we get rid of the "labels" that divide us - we'll discover many common interests and similarities.

It's impossible to follow a spiritual path (any religion) and not follow your heart - that is your intimate relation with Life Force or the Divine - however you term it. What others choose is really none of our business - if I live - following my heart - and it sounds like you do too - then that's the best life one can live

Issues become facts with a little research - and considering opposing viewpoints - entertaining ideas without accepting them - is the sign of an open, intelligent, and often brilliant, mind.

Good for you for really seeking the truth - no matter where it takes you...that is the faith that all is well and you are on a "heart path" that can't help but lead you home.

Good Fortune - Love this insight - thanks! Cheryl

» left by robert melaccio sr. (2 years 280 days ago.)

Bruno, good job but Gary did a great job of answering. The test is not republican or conservative, liberal or democrtat but for the people and love of neigbor for the common good and the general welfare. test that and you find your answers. When you find it please let us all know.

» left by Bruno (2 years 280 days ago.)

Thanks Robert. I've decided that I haven't changed, but rather the Republican Party has changed, leaving me out in the cold. Someday maybe I'll return, but not while I am reviled for tolerating other peoples' opinions.

I also don't think there's room for "love your neighbor as yourself" in politics, so I have decided to just stick with trying to be Christian, in the adjective sense of the word.

» left by robert from St. Louis, MO. (2 years 75 days ago.)

Another good question that is capable of evoking at times a hostile response from other evangelical believers....

Was the American Revolution truly a Christian inspired event, or did it actually violate Romans 13??? Paul called for obedience to Roman authorities (except when believers werre called on to do things contrary to their faith) and he did so under a Roman authority that was far more unjust that the British Empire. No American colonists to my knowledge were being thrown to the lions by British authorities for their Christian faith. Paul warns against rebellion against governing authorities in this letter. Why do we conclude that he would counsel otherwise if he were writing his letter in the American Colonies in the 1770's?

It is also an inconvenient fact that the British were not completely unreasonable in their demands on the colonies. They had heavily subsidized (yes "subsidized"!) the colonial war effort during the French and Indian War with their own money, manpower, and hired Hessian soldiers that they brought along with them to help us fight this war. No colonist to my knowledge voiced any objection to this when they did this. At the end of the conflict, British Parliament stood on the verge of bankruptcy, and they were asking the coloists, who had benefitted from British intervention, to help pay up for the costs of this intervention. They also issued a Proclamation forbidding further westward settlement on the American continent for the time being, fearing that it may provoke a war with the Indians that neither they, nor the colonists could afford to fight. These were not unreasonalbe demands under the circumstances.

When I have, in the past proposed that the American Revolution may have violated Romans 13, I have received a variety of responses. Some have chosen not to respond at all. One of my associate pastors has said that that is a defensible postion to take. The one response that really puzzles me is when I am referred to the writings and words of the American Founding Fathers. The important thing is not what the founding fathers said, but what the scriptures say. So far, I don't recall getting much in the way of scripture as a defense from those who deny that the American Revolution violated Romans 13.

» left by Bruno (1 year 351 days ago.)

How are you doing, my friend? I guess I dropped the ball on our conversation.

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