Be Still My Bleeding Heart

Introduction

It's not easy to be a Liberal in America. The Right says we're big government control freaks who are antibusiness hurting the economy and freedom. They say our support for welfare programs just creates dependency, and furthermore, Conservatives claim Liberals are against moral values because we support social changes that have legalized abortion and ensured LGBTQ Rights.

Meanwhile, the Radical Left, especially Socialists firmly oppose Liberals because we want to fix Capitalism rather than replacing it. No matter what Liberals do, whether it's higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations or the Affordable Care Act to help the uninsured, the Left says none of it matters because workers are still oppressed by owners of capital.

Liberals don't think your right to profit from private property should come at the expense of consumers, workers, or environmental well-being. So strong regulations are necessary. We think people who can access healthcare, adequate food, and shelter won't just survive. These people can start to make a life for themselves and have choices. That's the other aspect of individual freedom. It's why food stamps and Medicaid are good policy.

Conservatives wrongly believe the government can impose a particular kind of personal morality on individuals for the sake of God and society. Liberals believe people are decent, and they don't have to give up their individual freedom because others strongly believe certain people and things are immoral. Simply put, unless what you do poses bodily harm to others or imposes on them, the government shouldn't interfere with individuals in the name of God or moral virtue.

Socialists don't stop to think that most workers like what they do. They don't feel their labor is oppressive or their boss or business owners are oppressors. If people get good pay, benefits, a degree of job security, are able to meet their needs, and satisfy some wants, then free enterprise is just fine with them. They often respect and admire rich people as well.  All of this is made possible because of Liberal political reforms.

I tend to write mostly about wealth income inequality, working people struggling to make ends meet, the power of corporations, and systemic racism because the media and pundits don't talk enough about these issues. However, I'm interested in the upcoming presidential election between Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. I'm also concerned about abortion rights, gender equality, LGBTQ rights, gun control, and immigration which I don't write much about.