The Lionhearted Liberal Is Back...Hey There

Yes, don't have a heart attack. The Lionhearted Liberal is back after a fairly lengthy hiatus. In these last few weeks, I've considered my political and social views as well as the hatred that has so deeply permeated the political situation in America. Quite frankly, it was this negativity that drove me into seclusion. I appreciate everyone who stopped by to check up on me. Now, let's get to business. I have been found by several epiphanies in my time away and would share them with you all if you would read them. It is important if you truly love your country.

My Epiphanies- They're For America You Know

The First Epiphany I had these past few weeks was a new awareness of just what the First Amendment and Free Speech mean- that everyone can say and feel any way they want to for any reason at all. I have always viewed Free Speech as people are free to say and feel what they want as long as society is better for it but that opinion was wrong. No matter how hateful, baseless or rhetorical someone's arguments are, they are worth hearing and must be accepted for what they are irregardless to how we feel about it. If we do not live up to this most basic requirement of the Constitution, then we aren't a Republic and we don't practice Democracy.

The Second Epiphany was that in God's own truth, I hate both major political parties in this country. They both have been for and against the majority views at various times throughout the centuries but they are not and for a long time have not been pro-what is right for America. I am tired and sickened by the perpetual use of strong, steroidal rhetoric that I continuously hear from Republican leaders, Republican voters and Republican sympathizers. It's disgusting to use the fear of terrorism as a tool to trick voters into supporting the GOP as one would pick up a sword and bash an enemy over the head to protect one's family. On the other hand, I am equally sickened by the constant and predictable minority squabbling that most Democrats practice these days. Kicking the President when he is down is only right and proper if you are pursuing him for reasons of justice- kicking him for political brownie points festers hatred instead of promoting truth. In any case, a person should not attack another unless they have committed a crime and neither party is innocent in that department. Fight ideas with ideas, not pot shots. Both parties have let us down in almost every way and I hate them for that.

The Third Epiphany was that I, like almost every other individual American, am an insignificant speck in the scheme of things. Sometimes I get a little pompous and start thinking that what I say and think really matters and that I alone can make a difference. Did you know that simply isn't the case? So, like everyone else, I want some sort of Superhero to come and fix everything that is wrong. Alas, however, as Superman found out in Superman IV: The Quest For Peace, that isn't possible. Besides, as Bill Clinton showed Democrats and George W. Bush is showing Republicans, there isn't a Superhero out there these days.

The Fourth Epiphany I endured was perhaps the most difficult of all. This epiphany said that I do not have to justify the way I feel or what I think to every single antagonist who stumbles on my site or runs into me in the supermarket. I can support the troops and the War In Iraq without supporting the policies that put them there. I can support a Democrat, Republican or a Third-Party candidate while not supporting his or her party. In short, nobody has any choice but to take or leave what I say and feel. This applies to all of us, did you know that? If someone doesn't support the Government Intrusion Act (Patriot Act), they are not un-patriotic but super-patriotic for standing up for the Constitution. If someone finds and publishes evidence that suggests a politician is guilty of a crime, that doesn't mean they're a Leftist or Rightist journalist- that means they're a super-patriot. You see, a patriot defends the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Only an un-patriotic person tells another person how to live their life. Liberals and Conservatives alike miss this fact completely.

The Fifth Epiphany I endured was the most obvious and it, surprisingly, came last. I discovered that my long-time opinion that politicians are inherently bad was true all along. No matter how hard we fight to elect the best leaders in either major party, we tend to always come out losers in the end. Some of us vote for them because it's nice to see our vote get counted. After all, who likes voting for the guy in the margins who never gets elected? Some of us vote for Donkeys or Elephants because we have bought the party rhetoric hook, line and sinker. Some of us have broken free and I ask those of you who fit that bill to help free our friends. Politicians are crooked no matter how much you try to justify their actions and no matter how much better or worse they are than leaders in the "other" party. While some politicians may be decent enough, almost every one of them went into politics for one of three reasons: power, wealth and/or glory. Don't be a fool and believe otherwise. What truly caring politician could ever have voted for and continue to support the Patriot Act (Government Intrusion Act) as it is? Mark my words, these people are not your friends.

That's It For Now

With these new discoveries of mine firmly in hand, I will begin a new chapter in my writing, bitching and complaining about politics. I appreciate those who have stuck by me and welcome anyone who wants to find out what I am going to do next. I don't know what's next to be honest but I can tell you I am not going to sell out ever again to a power-monger like Bush, a forked-tongue like Kerry or a fallen grace like Ralph Nader. From now on, I will assume each politician is being dishonest and I will grade each by their deeds, not their rhetoric. I beg each of you to do the same. Thank you and God Bless.