Being a Liberal

"Being a Liberal means I care about my country; its people, its safety, its health, and its future. Being a Liberal means that I make choices with both compassion and reason; not out of bigotry, anger or ignorance. Being a Liberal means that I don't agree with all opinions, just in the right of each individual to hold their own. Being a Liberal means I care about the quality of life of the world around me and of the people in it. As a Liberal, I believe in a strong defense, the right of all to live a decent life and to prosper based on their own efforts. I believe in the power of a free people. I believe that people are generally good, but many governments are not. I believe in the welfare of my neighbors, not in a welfare state. I believe that a big government is neither bad nor good; but that government’s role is to serve as the arbitrator, protector, and vehicle for the common action of the nation. I am proud of my country, but believe America is a work in progress. We have a lot of work to do before we have it right. I am a Liberal and proud of it. And you can quote me on that. Kent Lowell Chaplin"