What is a #Liberal #libtard

 

In attempting to describe "Liberal" in its most simplistic and exact meaning, it is of import to note that, at least in the United States, Liberal is not a political party on it's own but merely a philosophy of which certain parties hold as their core beliefs, generally that of the Democrat.  However, a person of the Democratic party persuasion may also use the label "Progressive" in addition to or instead of "liberal".  We shall endeavor to detail the meaning of Progressive in a later entry. 

Merriam Webster defines "Liberal" as a one who is "inclined to be open to ideas and ways of behaving that are not conventional or traditional.  A liberal typically utilizes the words "broad-minded" and "tolerant" to explain their political ideology.    In addition, a Liberal is one who favors the philosophy of liberalism which, as seen above, is a political leaning that views itself as progressive, believes in the inherent goodness of humanity, insists that the citizen is guaranteed freedom away from arbitrary authority, and thus is deserving of protection of their civil and political rights. 

The word and terminology of "Liberalism" stems as far back as the Age of Enlightenment in the 17th Century.  However, for the purpose of this entry, the focus will be on the influence and origins in the United States, beginning with the leaders fighting for freedom away from oppressive royal soveriegnty in the American Revolution.  

As the ages progressed, commencing with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, those with a liberal persuasion would consistently insist upon freedom of speech, freedom of association; an independent court systems separate from other branches of government so as to not be unduly influenced,  citizens' right to  public trial by jury, and the outlaw of extreme wealth abuse.   Later, Liberals began advocating gender and racial equality in their drive to promote civil rights. Other goals often accepted by liberals include the right to vote for all adults and access to free education for all. 

In summation, a Liberal is one who aligns themselve with the ideologies of Liberalism, that of the focus on the freedoms guaranteed in the constittution, freedom of speech, free market economy, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and the focus on a free and fair Democracy where the government is anti-secularism and focuses on the need for an Individual's natural born rights without governmental authoritative control. 

What is a #Republican, Tim Miller?

 

You can all blame Tim Miller for this entry, actually, you can blame him for this whole series.  If you don't know who Tim Miller is, you should, you very much should.  

That's him.  Who is he? Tim Miller is an independent journalist for the Bulwark, a former life-long conservative Republican (he worked on the 2016 Jeb Bush Presendential campaign), now an avid Never Trumper, and a gay man who came out in 2007.  I consume his podcast, The Bulwark Daily, and other Bulwark media regularly.  I find the way he expresses the current state of political strife in the United States and how it connects to the larger picture both easy to comprehend with a slice of encouragement for how to remain hopefully active.  He is truthful, transparent, intelligent, and hilarious.  

For more on Tim: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Miller_(political_strategist)

The Bulwark: https://www.thebulwark.com/

I often question how a gay man could have aligned himself for so long with the Republican party, pre-Maga, and as a conservative.  But this reflects my apparent bias on what it means to be Republican, the anti-gay, pro-life/anti-abortion party, seemingly not accepting of Tim Miller and his lifestyle.  Even though Tim Miller refers to himself as a liberal Independent with no political party, he still seems to hold value to the principles of the Republican party of which he was raised and spent a great deal of his life.  Why?

So, I must put aside my bias and reflect only on the philosophy of Republicanism, such like what was done in the last entry with Democratic views as well the pontification college courses do on socialism or communism.  Let's set aside also the fear, the anger that rises up when that word "Republican" brings up based on the current actions of those in that party.

Merriam Webster defines Republican as "associated with reduced taxation, with limited government regulation of business, finance, industry, education, and policing, with strong national defense, and with opposition to abortion, affirmative action, gun control, and policies and laws that are viewed as challenging traditional social and family hierarchies and structure" (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/republican).  The first section of the definition is perhaps the reason that  Miller, other former Republicans turned more liberal, and Never Trumper Republicans adhere to that political affiliation.  

For as I read over the factors of reduction of taxatation, limited access of government in matters of business, finance, industry, education, and policing, and a strong national defense those all seem reasonable and acceptable for the means of government.  This doesn't mean that I am going to suddenly shift my politics from what it is and suddenly become a Republican (I've actually labeled myself as that in the past, when I was a fundie) but the anti-abortion, anti-affirmative action, anti-gun control, and the strident belief of "traditional family values" are against my moral values.  

Reflecting upon the first half of this definition, I recognize the benefit of this political party, why Miller and the Never Trumpers, feel such anguish over what their party has become and are fighting just as hard to retain it back to its pure philosophical intent in practice, as they are fighting for the healthy continuation of other political parties, beliefs, as well the survival of Democracy overall.  

What is a #Democrat

 

The words "Communism, Communist, Socialism, Socialist" are often widely discussed amongst college philosphy and political science classes as well within certain social groups.  However, rarely if at all, are the words of the current politics in the United States, "Democrat, Republican, Progressive, Liberal, Conservative" ever discussed or philosophied in similar focus.  Rather these terms are either ones taken for granted of mutual understanding yet most likely without a full understanding and knowledge of such and rampant with personal bias, criticism, and spite.

Thus, in this entry and those that follow, I will undertake the large task of giving a comprehensive glimpse of what these terms mean in a philosophical way, not in practice, similar to that of how communism and socialism are discussed.  Put aside the various bias and negative meanings one connotes when these words are brought up and lean into the description in its purest form. I will do my utmost best to remain neutral in the description, even if I lean more one way than another.  Let's pretend we are sitting in a university classroom, the course: Political Philosophy 101.

The Merriam Webster dictionary defines "Democrat" in three distinct ways.  Firstly, as a member of one of the current major political parties in the United States as well as the ideologies that go along with this following.  Thus, a Democrat is a member of the Democratic party of the U.S., usually associated with government regulation of business, finance, and industry.  A deomocrat politician aligns with federally funded educational and social services.  They avidly decry the separation of church and state.  Along with this, a democrat supports for abortion rights, affirmative action, gun control, as well policies and laws that protect and support the rights of workers and minorities. In addition, their views on foreign policy are internationalism and multilateralism.  Furthermore, the second definition states that a democrat favors a democratic form of government, per example, the selection of leaders by election and that all people should be treated fairly and equally.  

The Democratic party, founded in 1792 with Thomas Jefferson,is the longest held political and ideoligical party.  Back then, known as Democratic Republican party, it was more conservative and libertarian than the current Democratic party, for instance, they strongly held that states' rights were necessary and were opposed to a centralized federal government, they insisted that the Constition be followed to the letter strictly, and they believed in the heart of America as led by the agrarian farmers and not the wealthy.  The shift towards more contemporary Democratic belief occurred in the 1820's when voting laws relaxed and laws were passed allowing state's to elect presendential candidates.  Then, in 1824, the Democratic-Republican party became factioned with each electing their own presendential candidate, representing differeing views and ideologicals politically.  When the election of John Quincy Adams, the divided deepened.  Supporters of Adams referred to themselves as "National Republicans" and those that wanted Andrew Jackson as president called themselves as Jacksonian Democrats or the Democrats.  This party was the founding of the Democratic Party, with some beliefs aligning similarly and others' opposing yet reflecting on the current events of that historical time period.   That which is similar is emphasizing the government must benefit and be led by the 'common man', voting rights should be expanded greatly (at the time of Jackson only for white males), and the overall theme that the government must be for the will of the people, not the wealthy, centralized government.

The current state of the government in its overwhelming rule of the two party system aside, coupled with the overall governmental political corruption found in both, simply examining the themes and history of the label "Democrat" one may see how the development of the core values grew into the philosophical standards.  Brief though this entry may be, it is the writer's hopes that the reader's interest may be piqued and further individual research will be sought.  

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/democrat

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Democratic-Party

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacksonian_democracy

Deconstructing #Calvary Chapel, DON'T (,) SKIP! #skipheitzig #franklingraham #greglaurie

Deconstructing #Calvary Chapel, DON'T (,) SKIP! #skipheitzig #franklingraham #greglaurie