Thieving Thursday: My "Liberal" Views

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If you’ve been following my blog long, you’ve probably noticed that not all of my readers agree with what I have to say, with the views I have.

Personally, I’m cool with that, and, as a consequence, I’ve had my eyes opened to different perspectives on some topics, to aspects I might not otherwise have appreciated. Sometimes, we’ll just disagree. Of all my recurrent readers, this is probably not true for anyone as much as it’s true for Relax Max. I read Clarity 2009 as well and we disagree frequently.

He’s written up three blog posts on topics that interest me, including healthcare, communism, and that dirty word, “liberal.” I’m not going into the disconnect I felt existed between explaining the need for healthcare for all on one post and blasting me for suggesting we all have to help pay for it. You all can reach your own conclusions.

But my particular comment – the one I want to steal – had to do with the assumption that today’s liberal meant taking all the wealth of the successful and passing it out to the lazy. I hear this characterization a great deal.

I don’t know if I’m count as a typical “liberal” – I hate labels and prefer to think of myself as a humanist or a compassionate thinker. In some ways, I do advocate some wealth redistribution. I believe that income tax collection should be limited to that portion of the income over and above what a household needs to survive (as, indeed, our taxes are structured now) and that taxes should be highest on larger “excess” incomes (i.e. portion of income above what’s needed to survive). Yes, I favor a progressive tax and I’ll tell you why – because I think people are entitled to more than they need, once everyone has what they need, because few people get rich on just their own personal efforts (and government contracts, tariff’s, efforts are often part of that success), because the difference in lifestyle between a 20 million dollar income and a 200 million dollar income is probably negligible whereis the difference between the lifestyle of a $20K household and a $30K household is appreciable.

I believe everyone should have certain government provided/assured services (and they should be comoparable, no matter one’s salary): libraries, postal services, police protection, fire protection, education, healthcare. I think social security was a brilliant idea so that the elderly weren’t left entirely destitute at the complete mercy of their children, former employers and, yes, their own judgement. With regards to education, I believe there should be a high standard applied nationally (not self-devised and assessed as states do now) – this is one country and education quality should not vary from state to state or location to location as it does now. I went to ten different schools in eight different states and the differences were shocking! I also think education through college should be supported for the good of the country.

I also believe a reasonable defense is required as well as government support for organizations for the general good of the country (EPA, NOAA, etc). I am for supporting everyone working, trying to work and medically unable to work so that they can live at least at a subsistence level, including using such methods as subsidized housing, unemployment benefits and disability payments. And I lose no sleep taking a chunk of people’s (and my) “excess” income to do so.

I do have an issue with “welfare.” I don’t believe able-bodied folks should be paid to do nothing indefinitely. I’m cool with programs to educate people to improve their chances for employment (and, preferably getting repaid as some of the bailed out banks have done) and/or having them supply “community service” hours to repay their welfare.

I welcome other ideas on this, particularly because I’m challenged by the implications to children. I don’t believe in paying a woman who’s irresponsibly had a passel of children she couldn’t afford to take care of to stay home and take care of them, but I don’t think the children should suffer as a result. Short of not allowing people to have children irresponsibly (And who decides the criteria? How do you enforce it? That’s a whole other can of worms even if people agreed it were necessary).

I don’t have all the answers, but I think answers can be found if we talk, if we hear different perspectives, if we keep trying.

At least, I’m hoping.