Dakota Beacon

Like it or not, campaign season is upon us. Anyone who listens to the news is caught up in the season by default. Some folks do not like “politics” and will avoid the topic whenever possible.

Most people consider themselves conservative and consciously reject the liberal label. In the 1800s, liberalism stood for progress in all things democratic. Today, liberalism is synonymous with socialism, Marxism and Communism. No wonder liberalism has fallen into disrepute. In the end, it is not so much how one wears a label as how one acts on their beliefs.

How do you distinguish a liberal? Political party affiliation does not help. There are liberal and conservative Democrats just as there are liberal and conservative Republicans. Calling oneself an independent doesn’t help, either. An independent is still inclined to lean liberal or conservative.

There are ways to measure a person’s proclivity toward liberalism. Review the following array of beliefs of modern day liberals. For every statement with which you agree, give yourself one point. The more points you acquire, the greater your tendency to think like a liberal. Here goes.

--Global warming most likely occurs because of mankind’s influence on the environment rather than natural phenomenon and cyclical weather patterns.

--Cancelling the flawed Paris Climate Accord was bad for America.

--Anyone who does not accept the proclamations of [junk] science must be opposed to clean air and water.

--Bugs, birds, and fish have equal rights with humans.

--City dwellers care more about nature than hunters.

--The highest priority of the National Education Association is the academic excellence of children.

--Self-esteem can be taught in the classroom.

--The best education is offered by government schools while private schools and home schools rank low in academic excellence.

--Quality of public education is directly proportional to funding.

--The National Rifle Association is evil because it supports “outdated” parts of the U.S. Constitution.

--Pistols and rifles in the hands of American citizens are more dangerous than nuclear weapons in the hands of Iranian mullahs.

--Socialism would work if the right people were in charge.

--The Cold War was essentially the result of the irrational fear of Communism by conservatives.

--Professional soldiers, not politicians, start wars.

--Jawboning NATO allies into paying their agreed-upon fair share of defense costs alienates those allies and harms foreign relations.

--Pilgrims of Plymouth Rock fame should not have held a prayer meeting on a public beach.

--The National Organization of Women represents the interests of mainstream American women.

--Breast cancer in women occurs more frequently than prostate cancer in men.

--Single parent households are socially, morally, and financially equivalent to two-parent households.

--Civil rights apply only to certain racial and gender groups but not to Caucasian, Christian, heterosexual middle-class Americans.

--Gay pride, Black pride, and Hispanic pride are good, but White pride is bad.

--A multicultural federation of nationalities is superior to a strong, common, distinct American culture.

--Democrats always promote the interests of the little guy and the forgotten man.

--Kneeling at football games is patriotic and supports community relations with the police.

--The term “equal” refers to outcomes guaranteed by society rather than opportunities afforded.

--Statues honoring fallen confederate soldiers from the Civil War are racist and must be destroyed.

--Disapproval of homosexual rights on religious grounds is a form of right-wing hatred and bigotry.

--Government creates jobs and prosperity while business and industry oppress people.

--The guiding principles of the Founding Fathers, as embodied in the U.S. Constitution, are outdated and the U.S. Constitution should be rewritten in the light of modern “values.”

--Abortion constitutes family planning.

--Divorce is in the best interest of the children.

--Shacking up is a good way for two people to determine if they are meant for each other.

--Same sex “marriage” is equivalent to traditional heterosexual marriage.

--Expanded government regulation is acceptable if done in the name of consumer protection, workplace safety, the environment, and racial and gender equity.

--Hollywood is truly interested in family entertainment.

--Citizens must rely more on a strong central government rather than themselves to solve problems of daily living.

--A large government bureaucracy with a multitude of agencies, departments, and “experts” know best how to manage people’s lives.

            How did you score? Be honest.

Dennis M. Patrick can be contacted at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).