Some of my views, such as my disdain for political correctness and cultural relativism, and my position on pacifism (that it represents a shirking of moral responsibility) may cause many readers to question my progressive credentials. I realize that, when addressing the subject of Islam, my writing can take on a distinct right-wing flavor. Some of you may be asking yourselves, "What's so progressive about this Candid Progressive guy, anyway?"
So it seems worthwhile to briefly list some of the reasons I consider myself a progressive, rather than a conservative, or (purely) libertarian. Here are the Top Ten:
1) I’m a secularist and a pantheist who views myth-based religions as the greatest impediments to human progress and enlightenment. This includes the Christian religion, in which I was indoctrinated as a child. My attacks on Islam have nothing to do with promoting a rival religion of equally dubious origins. I believe in science and reason, and a moral code based purely upon empathy, compassion, and a desire to serve the greater good.
2) I’m an environmentalist who believes that, at this point in history, saving the natural world should be our #1 priority. I’m a keen supporter of solar energy and hydrogen fuel cell technology. And I acknowledge that global warming is a fact, and a serious, man-made problem.
3) I’m an animal rights supporter and a quasi-vegetarian. (Basically, I'll eat anything that I'm willing to kill myself, which leaves me with fish and various tasty plants.) I believe that greater empathy for animals will be a key element of the 21st Century Enlightenment, if it takes place.
4) I’m an ardent supporter of freedom of speech and freedom of the press. (To the extent that I think anyone who does not support or appreciate these essential freedoms has no business living in a Western democratic nation.)
5) I understand that jingoism does not equal patriotism. True patriots do not support their country’s actions, right or wrong. (Which is the position of ethical retards.) True patriots agitate for responsible policies, and help to get their country back on track when it loses its moral bearings.
6) I think the U.S. should get out of the petro-imperialism business. It’s just not worthwhile, in terms of the deaths and maimings of soldiers and civilians, the military expenditure, or the ill will it generates around the world. Investing that money in the development of clean, renewable energy sources makes a lot more sense. We need to achieve total energy independence as quickly as possible. Our military should be dedicated to defending our own nation, and to protecting the defenseless -- not controlling oil fields.
7) I support the principle of economic justice. I’m no commie....but I do believe in fair play. For starters, the minimum wage in the U.S. should be high enough that the people doing the least pleasant jobs for us can make a decent living. A national health insurance program seems like a no-brainer to me. And my tax rate is not my over-riding concern when it comes time to vote. (I'm much more concerned about the money being spent responsibly, and not simply to enrich Exxon, Halliburton, or Blackwater.)
8) I support freedom of choice and stem cell research. In the age of the “morning after” pill and other reliable types of birth control, I believe (like most progressives) that the emphasis should be on preventing unwanted pregnancies. But I do support a woman’s right to choose. And the medical miracles that could be wrought via stem cell research are just too important to be delayed in the interest of microscopic, three-day-old human blastocysts.
9) I’m a staunch opponent of the War on Drugs. (Even though I’ve never used illegal drugs myself, Cuervo margaritas being my drug of choice.) The money and manpower wasted on these efforts is just obscene. And I’m libertarian enough to say that the government has no business whatsoever playing the role of nanny, and telling us what we can or cannot put in our own bodies.
10) I’m an unenthusiastic supporter of the Democratic Party. I vote Democrat because there’s no other viable game in town, for anyone who thinks that saving the natural world is a more pressing concern than saving gays from marriage or helping the rich get richer. But I always vote for them with some misgivings, because of the Dems’ gun-hating tendencies, and because their “leadership” generally refuses to actually lead -- preferring to play it safe by watching the polls and sucking up to Big Business. In short, the Democrats of today are soulless pussies; but they’re my soulless pussies.
I hope the foregoing is proof enough that I really am a progressive after all, and not a wolf in sheep's clothing. And I hope you can accept me as such, my lefty brothers and sisters, in spite of the fact that I can't see any advantage in surrendering to the bullies of the world -- whether in a war of words and ideas, or in any other context.
My Progressive Bona Fides
Copyright 2011 The Candid Progressive
Handbook for Infidels
The Candid Progressive's Guide
to Islam & its War on the West
