Liberty's Library

Our culture is highly segregated, especially when it comes to advertising, marketing, broadcasting, and politics. Within these circles you don’t hear of individuals but demographical groups otherwise known as “demos”. Broadcasters see the 18-54 demo as the most coveted; the most sought-after. Advertisers narrow their message to reach a target audience, or demo, for maximum effectiveness. You can be sure that political campaigns re-tune their message depending on which demo makes up the audience on the next stop.

Until about 2 years ago, I fit into one political demo pretty well. Not so much anymore.

I consider myself a fiscal conservative and social libertarian. Because I’ve never heard of this demo, I don’t know in what camp I belong. What I’m sure of is what I am not and that is a socialist, communist, or Marxist.

Here are the two big litmus tests issues that make me think I don’t fit squarely into any one political party: Abortion and Gay Rights.

Abortion

A conservative would most likely stand on a complete and total anti-abortion platform no matter what the situation. At least, that has been my experience.

Here is where I split away from the elephants. Within myself, I fall in agreement with the anti-abortion platform. However, an anti-abortion bill has no hope of passing in today’s congress. Therefore, I would be in favor of a compromise bill, for certain medically approved situations, if it meant reducing the overall number of abortions happening annually across this country. This is an act to which most conservatives couldn’t bring themselves and that is why I can’t consider myself a conservative on this issue.

Gay Rights

Most conservatives see homosexuality as a sin that if left unrepentant, the offender would indeed go to hell upon his/her death as explained in the Bible. They also tend to view homosexual marriage as a slap in the face of God and His church and as something that should not be allowed in this country. Ergo, they seek a Constitutional ban on any marriages other than between one man and one woman.

Here is where I differ from the mainstream Conservative. Again, within myself, I agree that the Bible is crystal clear about homosexuality and what happens to unrepentant homosexuals. However, as a patriotic American who wants to do right by God and by the founders, I cannot support a Constitutional ban on Same-sex marriages because the very idea of discrimination against other Americans based solely on personal opinion is unconstitutional.

To put it another way, the Constitution does not afford me the right to tell one American that he/she can not have sex with another, of-age, consenting American…period. The constitution doesn’t afford me that right and it does not afford the government that right.

While the practice of homosexuality is indeed unGodly and makes my skin crawl, I cannot and will not unconstitutionally discriminate against other Americans who disagree with my opinions.

I’m not sure if my beliefs make me welcome in either the red or blue “demo” but I can rest assured that I’m not treading on anyone’s personal freedoms because of them.