No. 13: Choice

Over the next few weeks I will be performing my own little political countdown. It's more for my amusement than anything else, but I also feel that it's a good way to glimpse into the mind of the average Liberal. Such humorous creatures these Liberals, and yet so mysterious. This is my list of the top 20 things Liberals don't believe. We'll say it's in the interest of understanding one another.



One could argue that the strongest reason for the colonist rebellion against the English crown in 1770 was the right to choose.  Above all else, Americans rejected the notion that one's destiny is predetermined, that your surname had more influence over your future than your own actions, that those of "status" could decide for you things that you should be deciding for yourself.  Yes, we opposed taxation without representation.  We opposed religious persecution.  We opposed authoritarian rule.  But the right to choose our own paths was arguably a more powerful motivator than all of these things.

Unfortunately, Liberals don't like the idea of individual choice.  I could fill many pages of examples of this, but in the interest of space I'll keep it limited.  Let's start with education. 

I've posted on this topic before so I'll hit the high notes.  Common sense Americans feel that parents and students should have a right to choose which school their children attend, and how they are educated.  Liberals disagree.  Liberals so adamantly oppose school choice that few topics will unite them more strongly in opposition.  Mention vouchers and prepare to be attacked from multiple fronts.  They believe there is no choice when it comes to education.  They believe that all students should be educated in the public sector without exception; and the particular public school you attend is determined by your address.  Don't like it?  Too bad.  Does your address belong to a subpar school with lazy teachers, filled with gang violence, teenage pregnancy and drug abuse?  Too bad.  You have no choice in the matter.  We could get into all the reasons why this is so, but that's another post.  The bottom line is that when it comes to education you will have no luck finding a Liberal who supports the notion of choice.

And what about the workers?  You know, the people the Liberals love to "fight for"?  Common sense Americans believe that whether or not a worker joins a union is an individual choice and is strictly up to the worker.  Liberals disagree.  In fact, this very month, the Left has held rallies and marches all across the Great Lakes region in part because the Governors in those states are proposing laws that would allow public workers choice in joining a union.  That's simply unacceptable in the eyes of the Left.  And so they march, and they protest, and they carry signs comparing those Governors to Hitler and Mussolini.

Let's not forget card check.  This is a law, supported by President Obama, that would end private ballots when workers vote to unionize.  Naturally, such a law would open the door to the union thugs who could witness any ballot cast by a worker and easily bully that worker into voting their way.  Remember, the same Liberals who argued in Florida in 2000 that a voter's "intent" was enough to count a vote now believe that it's okay to hold a public vote when deciding to unionize.  Is this consistent with the notion of individual choice? 

Healthcare is no different.  President Obama's pride and joy is his healthcare law, which is the first of many steps in eliminating one's choice in healthcare options.  In an ideal Liberal world, healthcare decisions would be made by politicians and bureaucrats, not doctors and patients.  If they had their way, the government would tell you which doctor to see and how often, and which medical conditions would be covered, which drugs could be taken.  It's the pinnacle of government power, and they won't stop pursuing it until the common sense Americans stop them.  President Obama himself is on record saying that ultimately a single payer system is the goal.  Choice?  I don't think so.

The current tax system allows little choice.  This may sound odd because isn't it obvious that we don't have a choice when it comes to taxes?  Of course we don't, but just because it's true doesn't mean it's right.  Ask a common sense American if citizens should choose to pay taxes and I think many of them would say yes.  That's why many of us support the Fair Tax, or the consumption tax.  Basically, if we want fair taxation while granting all citizens individual choice in paying  taxes then a national sales tax is the only way to do so.  But mention this idea and you're a radical, a kook, an anti-government teabagger.  Liberals certainly don't want Americans to choose whether or not they fund the excess and binge of the federal government.

Gay marriage?  Liberals oppose the voters' right to choose whether or not it is legalized.

Prayer in school?  Liberals oppose allowing students to choose whether or not prayer is held in the public arena, supporting instead a complete ban on religion in the public sector.

Talk radio?  Liberals oppose your choosing whether you listen to political talk shows on TV or radio.

Energy?  If Liberals have it their way you will not be able to choose simple things like how warm or cool you keep your home.  "Smart" grids will become the norm. 

Safe cars?  Liberals imposed the CAFE standards that forced automakers to create death traps...lightweight cars that offer little protection in an accident.  Want to purchase a safe automobile?  Not in this country.

Abortion?  Oops.  Funny how this is the one topic that bucks the trend.  If it's educating your children, or taking care of your health, or listening to the radio, the Liberals stand firmly against your right to choose.  But you want to kill an unborn child?  Well, in that case, they all of a sudden believe you have the right to make such a choice.  Perplexing if not sinister.

But let's cut to the chase.  What choice are the Liberals ultimately after?  They push government entitlements and support the welfare state despite our dire economic condition.  They serve up the government handouts as if the treasury is bottomless.  Why?  Look at it this way, if you depend on the government for food, for education, for healthcare, for childcare, for retirement, for security, for housing, for employment, and for a myriad of other necessities that you are unwilling to supply yourself then who are you going to vote for?  Obviously, the person who is willing to continue giving you those handouts has essentially bought your vote and, in my opinion, disenfranchised you as a human being.  So, the ultimate restriction of choice is in voting. 

Do Liberals want you, as a citizen, to be self-reliant, liberated and completely free of government handouts?  Well, that wouldn't serve their party very well now would it?