The "I Shall Define Myself a Liberal" Manifesto

The following manifesto is my response to all the people, both Republicans and Democrats, who are saying the lesson the liberal Democrats need to learn from this lost election is that they need to become more moral and religious. In the words of the great MMH - "It is important that we see our spiritual selves as being incapable of being defined by the narrow-mindedness and small-heartedness of others who don't care for us and what we know to be good."

The "I Shall Define Myself a Liberal" Manifesto

I will live and love freely and encourage others to do so as they see fit, free from the restraints of gender identity. People are free to love each other, regardless of who has which genitalia. People are free to enjoy the pleasures of consensual sex with each other, all kinds of sex, regardless of who has which genitalia. And all people should be free to enter into a government sanctioned joining of their lives and resources, with equal privileges and responsibilities, regardless of the gender combination. Our genitals, and what we do with them, should be of no concern to the government or others in our society. I will stand in solidarity with the people who have been subjected to oppression based on their sexual orientation by stating I have enjoyed sex with my own gender as well as having broke sodomy laws in more than one state.

I will not allow the government to dictate to people how the most private decisions concerning their body should be made. This includes the people's right to make end of life choices, such as no heroic means used to sustain a body and the removal of artificial life support, and assisted suicide. This also includes reproductive decisions - from having readily available emergency birth control options, such as Plan B (known as the morning after pill), to pregnancy termination options, including non-surgical methods (RU486) and procedures that are required to protect a mother's life or end a pregnancy due to fetal anomalies, regardless of when this decision has to be made in the course of a pregnancy. When a mother is told her 7 month old fetus has no brain, or other such medical conditions that will result in death upon delivery - the mother should never be forced to continue the pregnancy. These, and all reproductive decisions, should be left to the parents and medical doctors without government interference. I will stand in solidarity with all who are forced to make such decisions by stating I have had an abortion after becoming pregnant while on birth control, and being in no position to bring another child into this world. And I never want to be kept alive by heroic medical procedures or on artificial life support. And if I am faced with a terminal illness which involves great pain and suffering, I will end my life on my own terms. These decisions are never made easily, but they are our decisions to make.

All people shall be free to form their own religious beliefs. Religious beliefs cannot be dictated. People are free to practice which ever religion they feel themselves aligned with, or to practice no religion whatsoever. A person's character is not defined by whether or not they believe in God, or if they are Christian or not. I do not want a government that is forwarding the agenda of any religious affiliation. I do not want my President to utter the words, "God Bless America" at the end of every speech. If God must be invoked, God should be blessing the world. God is not on our side. I demand complete separation of church and state. I demand the revocation of all tax exempt statuses for any religious organization that endorses a political candidate. I stand in solidarity with those who suffer religious oppression by stating I am not a Christian. I believe Jesus was fully human, and I am responsible for my own salvation, which I consider to be having peace of mind when it is time to die, through the deeds I carry out. I do not believe in the God of western religions. In fact I said to someone once, "I do not believe in a God that cares." I do not believe in a God that answers prayers or talks to individuals, especially when that God has suggested we should invade and occupy another country. The only concept of God that makes sense to me is the power of love and goodness which is available to all - a source that is up to us to make manifest in this world. There is no guarantee that goodness will triumph. There is no grand plan for humanity.  I do not ask that you agree with me. My religious beliefs should have no bearing on how I am treated by my government nor should I be legislated to live a life that is constrained by the religious beliefs of those in power.

• I do not support the use of the death penalty.
• I do not support the use of violence as a means to resolve conflict, even at the intermational level. I believe war to be the ultimate failure of humanity, involving many failures along the way.
• I support gun control measures. No one needs to own an assault weapon. I will not allow guns in my home.
• The use of marijuana should be legal, and not only for medical purposes. It is no different than alcohol. No one should use either substance in excess, or drive under the influence of either.  I feel the same regarding the use of many recreational drugs. What you do in the privacy of your own home, if it is not causing harm to others, is your business. The government benefits from the "War on Drugs", just as it does the "War on Terror" and neither should be supported.
• I demand the use of "Free Speech Zones" be abolished. Freedom of speech is not relegated to defined areas. The protection of the constition is not limited by where we stand.
• I call for the repeal of the PATRIOT Act.
• I call for the impeachment of President Bush: For lying to Congress in his 2003 State of the Union Address; for being the top official of an administration, and therefore ultimately responsible for, numerous violations of the Geneva Convention under his watch; and generally failing to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the office of President of these United States, as declared in the oath of office.

This is only the beginning of my Manifesto. I will continue to examine my life and my beliefs and determine those freedoms that are at great risk of being taken away under the current regime, and take a stand for them. Inspired by the words of Sugis and Captain Normal - We shall not be moved. I shall not be moved. Now is not the time to give up our freedoms, our unalienable constitional rights for  life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Now is not the time to conform to the narrow-mindedness and small-heartedness of those who do not care for us. As a liberal, I will actively and peacefully resist all attempts, both small and bold, to turn this great nation into something other than what it was intended to be - a nation free from the tyranny of its rulers and even the majority, a nation that would attend to the needs and rights of the minority, even if this resistance carries with it great risk. Our President has forgotten the rights of the minority have been placed in his hands for safe-keeping, and it is his solemn responsibility to do so. We must remind him of this. We will not go away. We will not abandon our causes. We will demand justice and liberty for all and integrity in the actions of our government. We will not be moved.

Comments

[denny]

well said gale! i need to sit down and write something like this for myself... if for no reason than to remind myself of who i am. it's too easy to let anger blend into frustration... i don't want to loose myself in that!

thanks.

[sugis]

I was contemplating adding my name as signature to this document because I believe in all that you have said. But here is an idea that I just got from denny.
He writes his own, I write my own, someone else writes their own, and so on, and so on, so that we are all forced to examine our beliefs and ultimately (the purpose) to fight for a better world.
It would be great once we have all drafted similar documents to link to all of them on a separate page.
The revolution starts now.

[Kathy]

Here, here. We will not bend, surrender, or bow to the pressure to give up our rights and conform.

[Gale]

Great idea Sugis! I would be glad to collect people's manifestos and create a blog where we can post them, and then we can link to them, too.

I'll write a post and suggest that.

Denny, another reason I wrote all this and published it is because I think we need a human face on these issues. It's easy to say we're trying to protect the right of others to choose - whether it is sexual orientation or medical issues. I think we're going to have to start saying these are issues that I have or am dealing with - these are issues ordinary people deal with, and we're not the fringe elements of society that needs to be reigned in. All of the stuff I've been reading about the "moral values" of those who voted for Bush in some way suggest I am immoral, or should be ashamed of my life and never admit to any of the things I've admitted to here, if I know what is good for me now. I will not live that way

Kathy, you should write a manifesto, too! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[Don Myers]

A great start, Gale.

Uh...I hate to show my ignorance, but if I don't ask I'll never learn anything.

Who is MMH?

[Gregory]

Gale --

This was amazing. I agree with Sugis -- everyone writing their own manifesto. That, more than anything, will speak about the open-mindedness and vigorous debate that can characterize the Left at its best.

Gonna work on mine -- will post it at my blog when done. :-)

[Gale]

thanks Don and Gregory - can't wait to see your manifestos!

Don - MMH is the short hand I've been using for the Man with the Magic Hands, the name I've given to the man I met out a couple of weeks ago. I wrote about him in ">http://winds.typepad.com/life/2004/10/and_we_danced.html">
this post, and in this one... Sorry to be so cryptic!

[Jeff]

I support the death penalty.
I recognize the Religion of Peace for what it is: The enemy of freedom and humanity.
I think those that say Bush is a liar are in denial of their own lies and inconsistencies.
I think John Kerry and Leftism are traitors.
I think Bill Clinton is a liar and an adulterer.
I think Leftism is the greatest enemy of Freedom and Capitalism, and must be defeated along with terrorism.
I think the 2004 election was a good start.
Let's see how tolerant you folks on the Left are of me. I am your worst enemy, and I am not going away.

[Gale]

Jeff, the difference between my manifesto and your list is that I defined who I am without demonzing others. You basically listed who you hate and fear, and want to see eradicated. If you need to define yourself in terms of hating others, that's your choice, and I feel sorry for you. What a miserable life you must have.

[Jeff]

Gale,

Ah, THERE'S that famous Leftist tolerance. Um, speaking of demonizing others, you've done quite a job in trying to demonize both me and Bush...but I expect nothing less from the Left.

The truth is we are at war and the enemy is sworn to kill us and appears to have the means. I guess it'll take a nuke in Manhattan to wake up some on the Left, but then, I really think the Left's contempt for America makes that unlikely.

Bush a liar. THAT'S rich, coming from the Left.

[sugis]

Jeff, again, this is my biggest problem with radicals. Why didn't you take the same spirit that this letter is written in and submit a similar manifasto or whatever you want to call it defining who you are?
It's great to trash somebody else's work, because 1) it shows that you're too lazy to compose your own, or 2) that you're not mature enough to form your own opinion and search for the relevant facts to back it up. Which is it?

[Jeff]

A combination of both I suspect. Definitely lazier than immature! :)

It is precisely that "spirit" that you all are so fond of that nearly made me wretch when I read it. Cloaked in the guise of love, peace and freedom for all is the putrid stench of hatred. Hatred of America, hatred of conservatism, hatred of what we conservatives call traditional American values. The only thing Leftism seems to enbrace and support, maybe even fight for if they had the moral fiber and spine to do so, is America's enemies.

I won't let y'all get away with it without calling you out.

[Gale]

You know what Jeff - I find it interesting that my manifesto nearly made you wretch. I'm not defining you. I defined myself. It should have no effect on you. And it's only in your mind, and others who have fallen for the twisted mindspeak of the Bush Admin, where love = hate, peace = war, and freedom = oppression.
If you want a forum for spewing your hate - start your own blog.

[Jeff]

Actually, I DO appreciate your sentiment. In fact I agree with everything you say. I've been so wrong about so many things. But the more I've thought about it. You're right. I can only hope this nation wakes up before it is too late. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom.

[sugis]

Guys, check out this one. The blogger, Benjamin Orion, has a great site, and his manifesto (a work in progress) is also inspiring.

[Jeff]

Nice Gale. Nice morals there. I am so glad I found your blog!

[Jeff]

I give up! You win!! :)

[Gale]

Thanks for the link Sugis, it is very thoughtful. I asked him if I could post it on the manifesto blog, but haven't heard back yet. It would be good to get a lot of varied responses. If you know him, encourage him to let me post it!

[Jeff]

A CONSERVATIVE CREDO:

I believe in one nation, under God, indivisible, with freedom and justice for all.

I believe in the greatness of America, having no limit to what it may achieve.

I believe in America’s manifest destiny and the obligation to use our resources and power to preserve and propagate liberty and democratic government around the world.

I believe the United States has the right and obligation to use military force, even preemptively, but judiciously, anywhere in the world whenever the vital interests of the United States and her allies are threatened.

I believe in the right of consenting adults to make lifestyle choices, provided I am neither required to pay for such choices nor required to accept corruption of traditional family institutions in name or form, as a condition for accepting such choices.

I believe in free market capitalism.

I believe that private citizens and private enterprises can spend their own money more wisely than the government.

I believe taxes should support only those necessary and minimally essential government functions, not to underwrite an ever-expanding role of government intruding into our private lives nor enlarging the welfare state.

I believe in equal opportunities and if measured objectively I can accept unequal outcomes.

I believe in American democracy where voting is a valued privilege, not a right afforded to every inhabitant, regardless of citizenship, criminality, or inability to fill out a ballot.

[Gale]

Thank you for sharing a thoughtful response to my manifesto.
There are two points I disagree with, and one that is probably at the basis of most of our disagreements.
I have written about the idea of manifest destiny in a previous post. I don't think we, as Americans, are superior, nor are our lives more valuable than the lives of people in other countries. I believe we are all a part of the human race, and national identity must give way to world community. We have no right to invade another country because we need their resources. Killing 10 innocent people in another country to avenge, or protect, one American life, is not acceptable to me.
I think this difference in our worldview leads to the other differences we have.

I also don't understand how allowing gays to marry will corrupt the institution of marriage and family. You don't come right out and say that, and correct me if I am wrong, but I think that's what you are suggesting. To me, what corrupts the institution of marriage and family is abuse, deceit, violence, and not upholding the vows to honor and respect each other. This is done by heterosexuals as well as homosexuals. Our traditional institution of marriage has a 50% failure rate, without the participation of same-sex couples. I hardly think that is an institution which should be held up as beyond reproach. If two people join their lives, and love each other, uphold their vows, treat each other well, refrain from deceit and violence, they honor the institution, regardless of their gender mix - in my opinion.

(oops - link has been fixed)

[Gale]

and Jeff, do you want this added to the manifesto blog?

[Jeff]

No, as I didn't write it. I stole it from Geoffrey Hunter via "I Love Jet Noise". It's just that it mirrors my thoughts exactly. (I DID give him credit for it on my own site! :)