The New Liberal

Bluntly speaking, I am a moderate. Some might shout at me for being allegedly 'indecisive,' but that is not the case. I don't believe in partisan politics, but in our current society, our views seem to be shaped by the contrasting sides of friends and enemies. I have leanings on both the progressive side and the conservative viewpoint. However, my sympathies to the conservative side seems to be a downer sometimes, especially in the world I currently live in.

When I was younger I used to think that the donkey was the mascot for the republicans. Why? Because Donkeys are stubborn and elephants never forget the past.

What I've seen lately is what I would call the 'rise of the progressives.' As far back as I can remember, conservatives used to be everywhere. The minority, at least the way I saw it, was the progressives. Political banter was ever present between the Republicans and Democrats, but at least back then we were able to negotiate rather than fight to the finish.

Maybe it's because I've moved to MA, a progressive state, but lately I feel that being a progressive is not liberal at all. It's being a conservative in MA that pushes the boundaries. Liberals want to break the boundaries and push it further for the greater of the people. Progressives tend to be supporters of the social aspects of our lives from pro-choice, to general equality for the people. These goals tend to make progressives seem like socialists as they push democracy to allow programs, high tax, etc for the better of the people. I might be wrong, but I still see the progressive view to be quite noble and valiant.

Now that being a liberal is part of society in MA, I feel the pressure to join them. Political fights erupt wherever I go because of  my sympathy towards the conservatives. Liberals usually look to non-conformity, yet here I feel a push to conform  with them. On campus, so far, there are two conservatives... out of 400 or so students. Being a conservative here... means non-conformity. Being a liberal here, is being a part of a tradition on campus, ---> (in my logic) the liberal is the conservative on campus as they follow what has already been set as 'progressive' rules on campus. The conservatives have turned into the liberals on campus as they push for either, a)better security b)decrease in student power over admin c) turning the school into a more educational campus. It might sound like we're party poopers but that is not the case. I like having just as much fun as everyone else, illicit or not. Sophie is a party animal.

Being a liberal means to free yourself from the chains of tradition and orthodoxy. What is orthodox here on campus is to be a liberal and to support non-conformist views. Hence, a new liberal has been born in the area, the conservatives.