Liberal's Lament

As I was finishing a book earlier today I let my mind wander. It was ok - I'd read the book before. Last night on a post on Facebook a friend of mine made the suggestion that I write. Funny, right? For years I wanted to write a best selling summer trash novel. Right now, I'd be happy to write a novel and sell 'em for $1.99 for the Nook or Kindle.

But then, right at the end of the summer trash novel I was reading, I started thinking of the different debates going on right now and I started lamenting my position as a bleeding heart liberal. Don't get me wrong - I'm definitely a liberal. Among other things...

• I believe in a woman's right to choose how she handles her own body
• I believe in health care (not just health insurance) for all
• I believe that everyone should have the right to marry the person they love
• I believe that higher education should be financially affordable for all
• I believe that all workers should have a collective bargaining agreement
• I believe that as patriots we should support our own country's products
• I believe that regardless of race, creed, color, beliefs, sexual orientation - we should all be treated as equals

But, along with those? 

• I believe that if someone is found guilty of a crime (like murder) they should be put to death
• I believe that everyone should be able to legally own a firearm 
• With that - they should have the responsibility to keep it for their own use only
• Also - I really don't understand the use of an uzi or semi-automatic, I don't know what they're hunting... but it's not animals

Perhaps I'm not a bleeding heart liberal? Perhaps I'm a realist liberal? Is there such a thing? I used to proudly wear rose colored glasses and enjoyed my view of the world. No longer. I have removed my glasses, smashed them. I will see the world as it truly is and work to make changes within my realm. Don't get me wrong - I'm still a dreamer. I know I'm not the only one.