Liberal: Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry; Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded.

I believe in social justice for everyone. In other words, I think that all people are entitled to be treated fairly, with equality and with dignity, regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion, class, political views, sexual orientation or disability.

I believe that intellectual and spiritual freedom must be preserved: I believe that all people should be free to make their own choices about what they believe, and why they believe it, without fear of government intrusion.

I believe in economic security for everyone. People should be able to earn a wage commensurate with their education, talents, experience and skill. However, I don't think that anyone who is willing to work should be denied a living wage. Also, I believe that our society has a responsibility to care for those who cannot support themselves by working, due to disability or age. I believe that our tax code should be structured to reward work instead of wealth.

I believe in equal access to health care for everyone. Care of the physical and emotional bodies of the populace should be one of our highest priorities. We need a health care system that triages based on severity of illness, not based on the ability to pay.

Additionally, I believe that health care services should not be a political football--and I believe that providers should be required to provide care regardless of whether the services provided run contrary to their own personal moral beliefs. Whenever possible, though, providers should be allowed to refer such clients to other providers.

I believe we have an responsibility to our environment in and of itself, not just by virtue of its beauty or its usefulness. I also believe that we have a duty to work towards a more sustainable future in relation to our natural resources for the sake of future generations.

I believe that we have a right to transparency in our political process. I believe that this right to transparency is perhaps the single right most essential for democracy, as it allows for an well-informed citizenry. I believe that politicians should be held accountable for deceptions and for misleading the public.

I could go on, and maybe I will in a future post. In short, I am a liberal because I would rather live in a world as Liberals see it than one as Conservatives see it. No outside force is going to make our society or our country for us; we must do it ourselves. And we can choose what we want our society to look like. I choose to work to realize a society which values and supports equality, freedom, and dignity.