Why I Identify As Liberal, and What It Means To Me.

I feel like I'm starting this off as a high school paper, and for good reasons!
These days, I feel like I'm in fucking high school with all of this political nonsense being thrown my way from biased sources that really knew nothing about politics (and probably still don't) not too long ago.

First of all, the title of this little "rant" piece is appropriate: I am a goddamn liberal.

No fluff. No denial.

Yet, what people associate with this term often comes with a very negative notation that I would like to take this opportunity to correct.

Firstly, I am a woman. I am a woman who thinks very long, and very hard about every step I take in life. I have accepted government assistance through a loan for my college education, and that is the extent of that. I work to pay my bills. I live a moderate, comfortable life.

On the outside, this is very normal. On the outside, this is accepted by generally everyone because this behavior is common. Now, it is only whenever my internal views conflict with others, shit hits the fan.

Identifying as a liberal in an environment of "conservative" minds can be extremely vexing. I am often faced with harsh and unfounded criticism, odd comments, and sometimes utter confusion. The confusion is usually caused by people who simply cannot wrap their heads around why I believe what I believe, when there is so much proof that ignorance and a closed mind (and interchanging the words socialism and communism as if they mean the same thing) are so effective!

In other words, I am a liberal yankee bitch because...

I am pro-choice. This simply means that I believe in the choice for all women. This means, not that I would necessarily choose abortion myself, but that I believe in other women's right to choose what is best for them. This means I do not make another woman's decisions for her. 

I believe in one's right to be politically ambiguous. I will be clear about my views, but only when I choose to. This is my prerogative. I don't need to tell you who I'm voting for. It's none of your business. I will not let my emotions cloud my good judgement, and I will not tell you that you are wrong for believing what you believe.

I believe in equality. I have heard some people say that they aren't racist, and then they refuse to give someone a chance because of their color. I have seen it done, and it disgusts me. I used to be racist, because it was how I was raised. When I dropped other ignorant ideals, this was one. I never fathomed that it was right to discriminate...I was an innocent child told to do so. I am now an adult who does not.

And finally, I just want to be left alone for who I am. I just want to be passed off without a double-take because I like the gays and don't think my life is all that bad.

People, we live in a first-world country. This is not Uganda. You are very fortunate. If you're reading this right now, chances are you have a bed to sleep in at night. Stop bitching about the economy, and consume less if you want more in your pocket. It's simple as that.

Stop.

I really don't know why the term "liberal" scares so many, because I'm not the one trying to change what other people need to believe to get them to fall asleep at night.

All I'm saying is, leave my beliefs alone.
Leave this dumb liberal bitch alone, in her whore hole, with her birth control and rainbow flag.