What is the MOST important issue to you as a liberal?

[TeamsterDem]

I know we're not single-issue liberals, but my question is about how everyone seems to have that one most important thing. That's what I'd like to hear about from you.

As my screen name implies, mine is labor rights. It's not a self-serving stance because I view strong worker rights and high unionization levels as CRUCIAL to the functioning of our society and democracy as wages tend to make people participate in both the economy and elections. With strong labor rights and high unionization levels a person often just feels better, as minorities of any kind - and certainly women - are not only welcomed in our ranks, but they're paid exactly the same as everyone else. That's good for their pocketbook and their psyche inasmuch as they can actually feel like the FULL human beings that they are. When they feel complete they tend to want to involve themselves in the other things (politics, social advancement, etc) and that in turn makes us all better off.

I'm the proudest person owing directly to my union and what it does to treat ALL members equally. I already had my job, but there are two new females in our office (doing serious work, not some sexist assignment as a secretary), and my two best friends are other union reps, both black. So all of this equality has meant TONS for these folks, but it meant something even for me: I now have 4 terrific coworkers who get their jobs done well and who elevate the professionalism of our office. We all win. That's my plan for all offices everywhere; that's what liberalism does for me.

I can't say Democrats are markedly better on labor issues than Republicans; it's the difference between a slap on the face versus a fully-loaded M-16 emptied into my torso. But liberals in general are usually avid supporters of labor law modification, and for that I felt naturally aligned with them when I started considering myself to be one. Luckily for me almost 98% of my other issues also jive with the liberal movement, so I'm in luck!

What about you? What single issue is the most important to you, and why do you feel that your stance on it makes you a liberal?

[nopubsorbds]

1. Freedom of the Individual

Freedom of the individual to make their own decisions about their body and life, those who restrict that right are an enemy to freedom.

If one takes a look at those who do look to restrict individual freedom one would clearly see that they are the type of person a real liberal or progressive would never vote for.

But if one wants to restrict an individuals freedom and call themselves a Democrat, they are fee to do so but that still does not make them a democrat and they need to be exposed as the enemy of freedom they truly are.

[Scuba]

3. So requiring that automobile drivers be licensed doesn't sit well with you?

[nopubsorbds]

6. Nobody has a right to drive now do they?

Are you really that obtuse or are you just trying to pick a fight?

If you do not understand the concept of individual freedom and the US Constitution then please say so. I would hate to think that people on this this site have the intelligence of a rock.

[Scuba]

10. You're a new member with no history. I'm trying to understand if you're here to disrupt...

... or make a legitimate point. You provided no examples of intrusion into civil liberties.


Try this: with his documented history of violence, should George Zimmerman have been denied a CCW permit? Or is that an intrusion on his 2nd Amendment rights?

[OKNancy]

13. poster has been sent to Libertarian heaven

[GawdisaMyth]

25. Why, what did they do?

is individual freedom a Libertarian only position?

Don’t you believe in your right to control your own body or do you prefer the Government calling the shots about what you can and cannot do with your body?

[Lasher]

30. Repeat malicious intruder

And that reply #6 was pretty hostile. I was the only juror who voted to hide it though.

[GawdisaMyth]

31. that was hostile?????

wtf???

Oh well the jury ruled.

[Lasher]

38. I think Ron Paul is a racist and a fool.

What do you think about him?

[OKNancy]

39. OMG

Really, I laughed out loud. Husband asks why. I told him it's too hard to explain

[Lasher]

40. I checked, sock puppets are in season all year and there's no limit.

So fire away.

[geckosfeet]

8. Gag. Libertarian boilerplate fantasy land.

On edit, as liberal, I would say health care, the economy, housing and education. In that order.

Economic issues include reigning in wall street and the banksters, lobby reform, mortgage lending etc. It's a big ball'o wax.

[GawdisaMyth]

19. Agree

In my mind it is very simple, those who are anti-choice also are against eveything I believe in and support as a liberal.

[Lasher]

43. I agree with myself too.

Buh bye, sock puppet troll.

[mowsepotato]

52. Me too

Me too

[Honeycombe8]

32. That's a vague response. That's in the Republican platform, for example, and it's also a concern

for Democrats and Independents. But it means very different things to different people.

An insurance mandate? Doesn't impinge on individual freedom. It merely makes people buy something they are already using and expecting others to pay. If you're poor, the govt will take others' money and pay for part of it for you. A pretty good deal. And that means the care will be less expensive for all, since you'll be able to go to drs and not have to go to E.R. and fast clinic places that have higher rates. And you'll be getting sick less, with annual preventive care.

Auto insurance? That's so obvious that it doesn't impinge on freedom that it's not worth discussing.

Income taxes? You want roads to drive on, lights to see by, someone to answer to the phone when you call a govt agency, a post office, health care when you're old. All those things cost money.

And so on. We live in a free society. You come and go, however you want. You choose what to do for a living, what kind of car to drive, what city to live in, what friends to have.

[GawdisaMyth]

34. The whole ACA thing is a good example of the problem

Having Healthcare for all is a good thing, many can agree on.

However a mandate to buy a PRIVATE product is the problem, at least with me. I have no problem with a mandate to buy insurance run by the Gov.

The idea for HC for all is good but the GOP Plan that is being implemented is BAD.

[OKNancy]

36. so Obama's plan is the GOP plan

and the DLC=the GOP? Is that what you mean?

[Honeycombe8]

42. People don't "buy" care from the govt. The govt isn't in the health care business. It can "provide"

healthcare indirectly by funding care providers, which I think is what you mean.

You already are in the healthcare market, if you've ever been to a doctor. So you are expecting someone else to pay for it, if you have a bill you can't pay. All the mandate does is make the freeloaders pay for their own care. (By freeloaders, I mean those who CAN afford to provide their own ins., but refuse to do so, and leave it for others to pay for it). If they are too poor to buy it, they'll take MY money to pay for part of your ins. premium, and that's a benefit to you. I'm not complaining about that.

I used to think the way you do, until I actually considered how the system works now and how it will work. It does make sense. That's because everyone, except for those who receive no care because of religious objections, is in the healthcare market already.

The mandate was Hillary Clinton's plan. I was against it. But now I am for it. It lowers the cost of health care for all.

Besides, it doesn't affect most people. For those who get ins through employers, or who are 65 or older, or already buy ins., they are not affected. It doesn't affect those in poverty, since they qualify for Medicaid.

We do not have a single payer plan, and a country cannot switch from one system to a totally different system in one fell swoop. It simply cannot be done. It has never been done in the history of the world. If you sit down with pen and paper and try to work it out, you'll quickly see that. Too much would have to be changed at one time, and the risk of people going without care and suffering and dying because of that, would be too high. It has to be done in stages.

We have to work with what we have, not what we wish we have. The ACA helps millions of people. It enlarges Medicaid (I have a relative on Medicaid), helps those with pre-existing conditions get ins at a reasonable cost, helps people find the best policy at a one-stop shopping center where ins cos bid for your business (check out the fed govt site on that...it's awesome), provides subsidies to those who can't afford ins., and equalizes the rates charged to people (women no longer will be paying 100% more for their ins. than men, high risk people will no longer be priced out of the health care market entirely), and many other things.

Be glad for those the ACA helps. It helps millions. You are lucky that you are not one of those who needs the ACA. But be glad for those who do. I am.

[Cleita]

85. Yes a popular conservative fantasy that has been propagandized so much,

it has defined our national character. Unfortunately, it doesn't work. We are wired by our DNA to work as a community and individualism is bound to fail for the majority. It only works for a small elite and it really doesn't even work for them because they must spend their days in fear that someone is going to take it all away from them.

[Zax2me]

97. Does that include religion?

[Scuba]

2. Fair and honest elections, without which nothing else matters in our "democracy".

[Behind the Aegis]

4. Equality for GBLT people.

It would be nice to be treated as an equal, including my relationship.

[Big Blue Marble]

5. Conservation of our rights under the Constituttion. N/T

[barbtries]

7. i can't cite just one.

peacenik. anti sexist. anti racist. anti bigotry. pro labor. pro science. being liberal to me means valuing each person equally, even those we don't know personally, at least philosophically and socially. of course i hold my loved ones dearer, but i recognize that that is only dearer to me.
i'm losing that though, because more and more i hate republicans and wish they would just go away.
maybe my biggest issue as a liberal is that republicans (i.e., haters bigots chauvinists elitists warmongers greedmeisters) should go away and let human progress happen already.

[Scuba]

11. This is why we love you.

[barbtries]

20. lol

thanks Scuba

[Kath1]

49. Agree 100%

"maybe my biggest issue as a liberal is that republicans (i.e., haters bigots chauvinists elitists warmongers greedmeisters) should go away and let human progress happen already."

Very well-said. We can only hope for that day.

[iwillalwayswonderwhy]

9. mine is pretty simple

For us all to be actually born equal, there are basic standards that must be met. Shelter, food, clothing, medical care, and education are necessities. I'm not saying we should all have cashmere sweaters. If you are wealthy, you can have your cashmere sweater, but I should have a sweater, too. By golly, we should both be warm.

I file this all under "promote the general welfare" from the preamble to the constitution. Without these things, we are not equal.

[Motown_Johnny]

33. Also Article 1 section 8...

http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_A1Sec8.html

^snip^

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;





...which I feel is more important since it is not just a statement of ideals. This is something demanded by law.

[pnwmom]

12. The composition of the Supreme Court.

I'm very worried about the next President having the opportunity to possibly appoint 3 justices -- if that President is a Rethug.

I especially wish Ruth Ginsberg had retired last year so that Obama could have appointed someone younger and healthier. Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis.

[RBitt]

14. Publicly funded elections

and no, you can't use your own money, and no PACs or other special interests. Until we elect on the basis of ideas and integrity,
the rest is what we have now, parliament of whores, both sides, except very few.

[ThomThom]

60. yes this is the root of all our problems... money in politics

we can't solve any of our problems until we get the influence of money out of our political system
this is the first step

[woo me with science]

70. Amen. nt

[Volaris]

93. Kicked, for Agreement.

That, and Corporate (non)Person-hood are THE Keys to the Kingdom, so to speak. We get THAT done, and all else can get done as it needs to be.

(ON EDIT) We are NOT alone in this belief. Every REPUBLICAN I know, and about half the conservatives (yes, they consider themselves different, but whatever) agree with us on this ONE issue, with very little convincing necessary on my part.

[JDPriestly]

15. Human rights including health care, peace and economic and social justice.

[antigone382]

75. environmental justice, too. n/t

[JDPriestly]

101. Yes.

[YankeyMCC]

16. As a liberal and as a human being

A healthy environment, a clean place to live, safe reliable food and water, for EVERYONE for the world

[pasto76]

17. not all democrats are liberal. Trying to paint them/us all is a conservative move

and apparently it has worked.


the most important thing democrats bring to the table is equality and a level playing field. Republicans and Conservatives always seem to want to rig shit so that they always win. I guess they never saw that Sesame Street that teaches kids how to lose and not get psychotic about it.

Im 2nd generation Ironworker. everything Ive ever had since before I was born has come from a Union Dollar.

Ironworkers #24

[TeamsterDem]

22. I wasn't painting. I asked the questions specifically of DU's liberals

of which I am one. If I wanted to poll the whole board I'd have said Democrats or DUers or something else.

[GawdisaMyth]

28. If one is not a liberal democrat

then why even be a democrat in the first place?

[Mysfyt]

18. communication

i want to find the things we have in common with 'them' and build on them.

i read so many political forums and people on both sides of the fence are just
out of control with the rhetoric and hate of the other side. politicians are hi-jacking
the conversation and inflaming the masses with the talking point of the moment
and while we scream our outrage at the other side they are stealing our country.

it distracts from the conversations we should be having. it isnt changing any minds
and it isn't helpful. i want to hear them and i want them to hear me.

just because i disagree with people does not mean they are my enemy. at some point
someone has to be the adult.

[TownDrunk2]

21. Holding the government accountable - **ALL** of them anywhere nt

[lunatica]

23. This year is the first time I'm a single issue voter

The attack on women's rights has made me a single issue voter this year. I consider it a deliberate systematic erosion of all rights for all people eventually. There is no fucking reason to take anyone's rights away. None, unless you just want to have all the power for yourself.

Normally I have a wide range of issues I'm interested in and on which I base my votes. As a matter of fact I consider myself a Democratic Socialist. I think the world would be a better place if governments only had the job of actually taking care of all their citizens. Of making life bearable for everyone and of enabling the natural innovation, inventiveness, creativity and the genius of their citizens by taking care of their fundamental needs. Needs like habitation, education and health which includes the health of the planet.

In my perfected world you can do whatever you want to become rich as long as it's not to the detriment of anyone else and you pay your fair share of taxes to keep the socialism healthy. Get yourself all the yachts and the bling you crave as long as not one single person goes without their basic needs. Do well in your job or chosen career and amass money if you want to. Have the luxuries you want as long as you can pay for them and no one goes without because of you. I'm all for encouraging people to become billionaires like Steve Jobs because you'll create jobs, improve the world with your technology AND pay your taxes to make sure everyone has a place to live, food to eat, an education to get and the planet thrives. Or, on the opposite end get to be a stay at home mom or dad if that's what you want. Or grow old with the stress easing knowledge that your security is comfortably secure.

Thanks for asking.

[TeamsterDem]

24. I like your "world" as you've described it. Got room for another citizen? ;) nt

[lunatica]

29. You'd help make my world possible

So you're definitely welcomed to be part of it.

[Honeycombe8]

27. I agree. I chose the economy as my single issue, but women's rights is part of that.

Women are the majority of those receiving social security, and the lack of equal pay affects our economy.

[Honeycombe8]

26. No one issue. They're all connected. If I had to choose, though, it's the economy.

If I don't have money, it's hard to focus on the other issues.

[CrawlingChaos]

35. If I have to choose just one, I'll choose anti-war

Because not only is it evil and wrong, I don't think we'll make any progress in other areas as long as we have a military industrial complex run amok, looking for endless war.

[Dokkie]

46. Anti war for me too

Not just that it wastes money, it literally kills people and am against killing people or supporting the killing of people who did nothing to us.

But a close second is jobs which would be greatly improved if we had all that money going into the MIC to work on the economy

Close third is the deficit, again we would not be needing to borrow or steal from SS surplus if we werent fighting all those useless war.

Yup, so ending of the wars and most importantly not just ending the wars but shrinking the security and war state budgets is the start to everything I need done in this country.

[Kath1]

48. Absolutely Right!

The amount of money wasted in that needless, criminal war in Iraq is staggering. Just think of the positive uses it could hace been used for. sigh

[life long demo]

37. It's hard to pick one issue, I've never been a one issue voter but

I guess I'd say the environment include wildlife protection, the economy, reproductive issues, voter protection, safety net for poor & elderly, labor protection, protecting those who have no power against the powerful. Never believed in the trickle down theory except in the case of rain.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

41. PEACE

[Kath1]

47. Yes!

PEACE! That says it all.

[sendero]

44. Economic justice..

.. kind of the opposite of what we have now.

[Kath1]

45. Like barbtries, I can't cite just one

You've got another peacenik here! My opposition to the war in Iraq pushed me firmly into the ultra-liberal camp. I'm also very pro-choice.

There are just so many issues in which I identify as a liberal: anti-war, pro-choice, pro-environment, pro-union, pro-education, pro-gay rights, pro-marriage equality, anti-racism, anti-sexism. I oppose government policies that benefit the corporations and the super-rich at the expense of those who are poor or struggling to make ends meet.

Liberalism to me means letting individuals be who they are and who they want to be without any shame or fear.

Conservatives/Republicans just turn me off. Behind all the smiles and good-speak there is an undercurrent of bigotry and narrow-mindedness. Just listen to right-wing radio for five minutes and you'll know this is true.

I'm 53 years old and come from a very conservative Catholic family but my life experience has taught me to reject conservatism and the Catholic faith. It is hard to break from tradition but being true to your beliefs is very liberating.

All of that said, I am very comfortable and happy being a LIBERAL!

[boxman15]

50. Ensuring that all Americans have equality of opportunity and a chance at upward mobility

If someonw is willing to put in the work to succeed, he/she should be able to. Everyone should be able to work toward the American Dream.

Unfortunately, deregulation and other failed Republican policies have destroyed that dream for many. Now, one can put in the work and have no shot at the middle class or a comfortable lifestyle.

This needs to be our top priority. Restoring the American Dream.

[pnwest]

51. health care. affordability, accessibility, insurance reform.

access to affordable health care is a RIGHT, not a priviledge. The fact that people in this country are dying because health care is a market-based, profit-driven INDUSTRY is sinful, criminal, and just plain wrong.

[dkf]

53. Having a sane government.

[slackmaster]

54. Our ongoing failure to fully adopt and embrace the Metric System

[Hatchling]

55. As a disabled, gay woman

I could decide that one of those three would be my single issue, that is personally important.

But as a liberal Democrat I can't be a single issue voter. One is incompatible with the other.

If I had to choose, I guess I would pick civil liberties. Including repealing the Patriot Act and it's attendant fascist laws.

But that narrows it down and excludes some other things that are also important. Anti-war, climate change, honest elections, the 99%, freedom from religion and other things that I am not awake enough to think of right now.

For me the concept of the big tent party means we are the party of the people and anything that improves peoples lives and allows for the "pursuit of life, liberty and happiness.

[LeftishBrit]

56. Support for public services and a social safety net.

Many other issues too; but to quite an extent, they depend on those I've mentioned above.

[NNN0LHI]

57. Keeping a rapture ready Republican away from the nuclear launch codes

Boils down to life or death.

Don

[longship]

58. A Voice!

Without that we are powerless!

[B Calm]

59. Lowering the Social Security and Medicare

retirement age. This would open the job market up for younger people to find work, thus boosting the economy.

[TheKentuckian]

61. Economic justice, protection and advancement of civil liberties, protection of the commons,

infrastructure investment and enhancement, self determination, and protection of our mutual habitat would be the big ones.

[antigone382]

76. +1

[Iggo]

62. Civil rights.

[Martin Eden]

63. Electoral Reform, Electoral Reform, Electoral Reform

If we don't fix our broken political political system, none -- I repeat, none -- of the critical issues facing us will be solved.

A few electoral reforms:

1) End the domination of money in politics by limiting donations to individuals, no more than the median weekly paycheck per year. Ban all political television ads. Publicly fund issue-oriented televised debates consisting of more than 1-minute responses to questions that are NOT from corporate/entertainment news personalities.

2) Universal registration of all eligible voters based on some kind of national idetification, perhaps the Social Security number. Access to registration card is easy, cost-free to the voter, and with safeguards against fraud.

3) Standard voting machine & procedure that accurately records voter intent with a paper ballot for recounts.

4) National Election Day every 2 years: a weekday (I think Wednesday would be best) in which businesses and schools (except as polling places) are closed.

5) Instant Runoff Voting with ranked choices.

6) Eliminate the Electoral College; direct popular election of the President.

7) End Gerrymandering with sensible formula for drawing congressional districts.

[woo me with science]

64. Getting corporate money out of politics

so that we can have representation again.

We will not make real progress on any other issue until this problem is solved. Once we are able to elect representatives who are not bought and paid for, activism in every other important area - the wars, economic policy, civil rights, you name it - will begin to mean something again and have a chance of yielding actual change.

[onethatcares]

65. social justice

because everything else falls in line when that is available to all.

[Brickbat]

66. Labor.

Period.

ETA: I see labor the way you do -- a good economy, civil rights, a strong middle class and so on all stem from strong labor.

[taught_me_patience]

67. The rule of law

Once exceptions are made, it becomes a slippery slope. I'm afraid we're headed down a bad path right now. #2 is the enviroment. I like to breathe clean air.

[lonestarnot]

68. A leveled political play ground, equal rights for all Americans who all pay their fair share to play

Private industrial prison complex should not push out envirnomental issues. Money out of the legislative process. Regs for safety not wars. Spray nozzels aimed down; not funnels up. Ok so it's not one.

[raouldukelives]

69. Climate change

I will miss redwood trees and the critters that call them home. So sad to see the slow death of the forests up here.

[broiles]

73. Bingo!

If we don't do something to halt the rate of climate change, it will not only be the slow death of our forests but the death of the earth and all of us on it.

[treestar]

71. None

I know single issue voters (right wing) and see that as nothing but destructive. Single issue people do little good for their issue and they are willing to destroy everyone else in the process. Life is varied and all issues are important to someone. It's akin to selfishness and not very liberal.

I know people who are so obsessed with abortion they do not care at all about children already born, those killed in wars and all kinds of death to the post born, whether resulting from poverty due to right wing economic theories, people without health insurance - all to make sure that every conceived fetal life makes it into that hell of a world they allow for in their quest.

[scheming daemons]

72. Stopping the Paul Ryan agenda

.

[Initech]

88. How about stopping the Koch Brothers agenda?

It's far more dangerous and I'm sure they're the ones pulling Paul Ryan's strings.

[antigone382]

74. All-encompassing sustainability

By which I mean social, economic, and ecological sustainability. To me, a world whose resources are not being preserved and protected is a world incapable of achieving true social justice.

[superpatriotman]

77. The social safety net

and it's health and sustainability.

[The Second Stone]

78. Supreme Court appointees should be reliable liberals

supporting liberty and civil rights.

[SmileyRose]

79. Economic justice

[Blue_In_AK]

80. At this particular moment, given what's happened with Anchorage's recent municipal election,

I would say election integrity is the most important issue to me. That includes campaign finance reform -- i.e., public-funded elections, big money out.

[LiberalEsto]

81. Protecting our Consitutional rights

particularly things like freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom to petition the government for redress. After seeing how the Occupy movement was physically dismantled a couple of months ago, this is a rave concern.

And most particularly the right of habeas corpus.

[bigwillq]

82. Equality (nt)

[YoungDemCA]

83. Universal human rights and oppurtunities nt

[Cleita]

84. I think a sense of community, that we are all in this together and we must all work together

to solve problems and make progress is what we stand for. I heard this said that this is the difference between Canadians and Americans. Canadians have a sense of community. Americans are all about rugged individualism and everyone out for themselves. Well that's true of conservative Americans, but I know that there are a majority of Americans who feel like the Canadians and that is us, the liberals. The problem is that the minority conservatives have been in charge and are making our country into a third world country.

[ZombieHorde]

86. Education.

The more educated a person is, the less likely they will commit crimes, have lots of kids, and vote Republican.

[Initech]

87. Number one: EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL!

Number two: Getting a government that is completely free of religious and monetary influences.

Number three: The prosecution of the BFEE for treason against the United States government.

Number four: Rebuilding our infrastructure, establishing a nation wide high speed rail network.

Number five: Ending all wars and holding Nuremberg style trials for our nation's war contractors.

[felix_numinous]

89. Human rights,

which underly everything else--equality in opportunity and in the eyes of the law, socialized health, education and welfare, and the right to live on a clean Earth and eat clean food, and to actually be innocent until proven guilty....everything depends on the foundation of our inalienable rights.

It is just so strange to think about this as a leftist point of view--it should be front and center. But if my socialized thinking makes me one of those bleeding heart liberals--I'm proud to be one. Yes--proud to have a heart!!

[me b zola]

90. Democracy

Power in the hands of the many, not the few.

[MoonRiver]

91. Animal Rights

And Obama has failed MISERABLY in that department

[stlsaxman]

92. Single Payer Healthcare. Period.

With Single Payer every employer would begin hiring LIKE CRAZY.

Tying healthcare to employment is ridiculous.

[cherokeeprogressive]

94. I have a gay Daughter who isn't in the military.

I can say without pause that Barack Obama LIED TO ME.

[LetTimmySmoke]

95. Ending the war on drugs.

[MichaelMcGuire]

96. Self-determination.

Cos ultimately:

"Believe all decisions about Scotland's should be made by those who care most about our country - the Scottish people, who are always sovereign" - Humza Yousaf


(I'm a social democrat and voter of the SNP)

[WCGreen]

98. Unencumbered voting rights for all people over the age of 18...

With out that right being protected, all else falls by the way side.

[lovemydog]

99. That we expand the middle class

by providing good wages and benefits for working people. Austerity measures to reduce the deficit should take place by reducing military spending and taxing the rich at Eisenhower-era levels.

[Edim]

100. Truth. nt.

[Tom Ripley]

102. Economic justice

[Broken_Hero]

103. In a very broad nutshell

Equality, both socially and financially.

[varelse]

104. Human rights (nt)

[Liber-AL]

105. Anything that promotes the common good and acceptable quality of life

for We The People.

[Odin2005]

106. Economic justice.

We need to rebuild our labor unions and labor rights.