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Divided Front A Liberal Concept?
by Dawn Dale There's a lot of talk , these days, about the divided front in America's political realm. There's a lot of danger, these days, in presenting that divided front. Fact is, years ago, when we were employed in the war fronts, that people could dissent openly and publicly, and, though it was shocking, it was allowed. People didn't see any greater ramifications than the promotion of themselves and their ideals. That was thought to be a good thing. Fact is, good things may have come about from dissension in the past. Yes, we learned a great deal about how to treat veterans. The anti-war protesters of the Vietnam era were dissenters that taught us a lot. We learned not to entice our own feelings upon the public attitude, thereby creating a hostile environment for returning veterans. Nowadays, service members don't have to return in order to feel the hostile environment; it's so potent that it reaches over the seas and across the airwaves to not only service members and our allies, but to the lands that we're attempting to liberate and the enemies who are trying to capitulate these lands. Years ago, many knew and understood the ramifications of dissenting "liberals". The name may not have meant much at that time, because liberal was thought of as someone who was open-minded, respectful of others viewpoints. However, the term liberal may be a term that has been misused for decades. In the 1960's and thereabout, many knew that the term liberal was being flaunted about by reactionaries who felt that their cause was to present other viewpoints, regardless of their own convictions. The error, here, is that I believe that people of a true liberal mind have the conviction to present viewpoints that will enhance the well-being of those around them. Liberal has strayed from its own ideals. By today's definition, I would be known as a Republican conservative. However, I consider the definition of my theology to be liberal. I'm very open-minded to viewpoints that promote the well-being of my country. I'm more respectful to those who disagree with me, as a Republican conservative, than I see my Democratic friends are to me and to Republican conservatives, in general. John Kerry highlighted this in his international fumbling, when he stated that "the U.S. has become an international pariah". Again, the definition of liberal is one who is respectful of others viewpoints. Again, my theology as a Republican conservative causes me to line up with liberal ideals more than those who tout this label. I wonder where "Liberals" would be if the voting public actually voted for true liberal ideals rather than checking the Democrat box on their ballot. Liberal, like the term "gay", has been hijacked. It does not stand for open-minded, respectful ideals. Perhaps because there is such a feeling of entanglement by Democrats, both in the public and the non famous sector, the term (or label) "Liberal" provides an escape. Democrats seem to feel that they are the oppressed (or at least they represent them) and calling themselves liberal offers a feeling of escape from the reality that they are simply rebellious dissenters of those whose ideals are far above their own. Because they know they are not going to be allowed to lead in causes that outrank their own, they set up their own accord and belittle those who champion causes that actually promote and enhance the well-being of our country. Yes, I too, would seek escape if I found myself caught up in such unworthy causes as Democrats promulgate. Dawn Dale has degrees in counseling and psychology and founded The Christian Heartbeat: http://www.geocities.com/thechristianheartbeat/welcome.html Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |