Liberty

[Martin Hash]

Here’s the definition of “liberal” (from Dictionary.com):
"favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, esp. as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties."

That makes me a liberal Democrat because there’s no greater right in America than individual freedom and liberty. When I go to Democratic meetings, we always recite the Pledge of Allegiance before getting started, but many people in attendance don’t seem to understand the words they’re chanting even though you would think there would be a lot of “liberal" Democrats in attendance. For example, the phrase “for liberty and justice for all” is prominent but confused.

From a legal perspective:
“Freedom” means no slavery, indentured servitude, or debtor’s prisons.
“Justice” means we’re all equal in the eyes of the law.

Here’s the definition of “liberty” from Dictionary.com:
"freedom from control, interference, obligation, restriction, hampering conditions, etc.; power or right of doing, thinking, speaking, etc., according to choice."

Liberty is about personal choice – it means that individual rights supersede group rights. Liberty’s not for the “common good;” it’s not “from each according to his ability, to each according to his need;” it’s not a matter of morality or compassion. It’s the immutable declaration that you as an individual have the power to make the decisions that affect you – no one else can tell you what they think you should be doing. Those people who try should be worrying about the decisions they’re making in their own lives!

I want to make it clear that I am a liberal Democrat, not a socialist.