I am reclaiming “liberal” for public use. Liberal is not a dirty word, although some groups would have you think it is. Liberal has the same root word as liberty. It means freedom and generosity.

      When someone calls your house from the Red Cross, do you think they want you to be liberal with your checkbook?

      When someone from the Republican National Committee calls and wants you to open your checkbook, do they want you to be conservative with your donation?

      I choose to be a liberal on many points. I am liberal with my donations to The United Way. Perhaps you should be liberal as well.

      I think everyone deserves happiness. I am liberal with that thought. I don’t reserve it for people I approve of. I don’t think it is right to do many things, but if they aren’t against the law and don’t cause harm to anyone, I think responsible adults should be free to do them.  I don’t smoke, but if you want to, be my guest. Don’t invade my freedom with your secondhand smoke and don’t expect me to pick up your medical bills when the ill effects come and bite you.

      I believe in happiness for all couples. I think they should get married, if that’s what makes them happy. I think churches, as private organizations should be free to choose who they perform wedding ceremonies for. I think the government should be free to issue marriage certificates to any couple that applies for it. Gays and lesbians have a tough path to walk in life. Who am I to deny them a chance at marital bliss?

      I choose to be conservative with our environment and natural resources. Suddenly that type of a conservative might not be the traditional view.

      Conservative with my endorsements. Conservative with my actions. I think before I act. A famous American said, “Make sure you’re right, then go ahead.”  That’s what a conservative government should have done. I should also add “a conservative president.” to the previous sentence.

      I am socially liberal. I am fiscally conservative. I am a supporter of business, large and small. I believe we should help the poor and helpless, but not support a life of helplessness. Give people a hand up, not a hand out. Support family planning, so people don’t get trapped in a vicious cycle of too many kids, not enough money, somebody help me.  

      I am a liberal Republican. There are such people. I hope my party doesn’t abandon the folks who are true Republicans, the people who want limited government and maximum liberty. I am not a Christian, but I don’t deny the majority of people in this country are. They can have a merry Christmas, I just want a happy holiday, is that so bad? I don’t want you to wish me a merry Christmas, but I understand if you do. I don’t wear a badge to warn you about my religious beliefs, so how can you know? I do appreciate that

      Some major chain stores appreciate my business and prefer to be inclusive. I appreciate their thought. Why should you want to boycott a thoughtful business? Does my disbelief make your faith weaker? If it does, maybe you need to re-examine yourself. Your belief doesn’t make mine weaker. I get to hear Christmas carols while I get dental work done, while I sit in the doctors office, while I do my ‘regular’ shopping.  Christmas isn’t threatened by "happy holidays." Inclusion of all is a good thing.

All views and opinions expressed in an article or column are the author’s own.

Copyright Robert E. Britt 2005