"During my service in the United States Senate, I have often been called a Liberal, and it usually was not meant as a compliment. But I remember what my brother said about liberalism shortly before he was elected president. He said: 'If by a Liberal, they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind... Someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions... Someone who cares about the welfare of the people--their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, their civil liberties...Someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and the suspicion that grips us... If that is what they mean by a Liberal... Then I am proud to say I am a Liberal.'"

-Senator Edward M. Kennedy, from remarks given at Harvard after receiving an honorary degree in 2008

If there's one thing conservatives have won over the past 30 years, it has been the war of words.  The term "liberal" has a negative connotation in our country now, and the right has done wonders scaring Americans with short phrases: "socialized medicine", "cut and run", "death panel", the list goes on.

I saw the video clip of the above quote last night on the news, and I immediately swelled with pride.  I may not know just how much Senator Kennedy impacted our country--his time in the Senate more than doubles my time on Earth--but it was nice to see someone on our side show some pride in the political label affixed to him.  More often than not, if someone on the street were to ask me where I am on the political spectrum, I'd give some wishy-washy answer about how I'm open to all political views and that I was sick of the Bush administration, blah blah blah yadda yadda yadda.

Well from now on, to hell with that.  I'm a liberal and proud of it.  And I'm not going to use the word "progressive" (although that may be a valid term) to hide behind it.  And here's why:

1) I am a liberal because I believe in a tax system based on ability to pay, not one that unfairly burdens the poor and middle class.

2) I am a liberal because I believe all Americans should have quality, affordable healthcare--and this includes having at least public option...if not a single-payer system.

3) I am a liberal because I believe in strength through peace moreso than peace through strength.

4) I am a liberal because I believe that relinquishing civil liberties for increased national security will cause the loss of both.

5) I am a liberal because I believe every person that is willing to work should have a job.

6) I am a liberal because I think the free market has great potential--however, government regulation is needed to ensure fair competition and consumer protection.

7) I am a liberal because I believe consumer spending is the main driver of our economy, and during a recession or depression government intervention to keep spending up should always be an option.

8) I am a liberal because I believe in deficit-neutral or surplus-inducing budgets.  The only exception would be #7, which applies now.

9) I am a liberal because I believe science and reason can greatly improve the quality of life for all of us.

10) I am a liberal because I believe in the separation of church and state.

11) I am a liberal because I believe all children should have access to quality education, and I want America to lead the world in creativity and achievement once again.

12) I am a liberal because I support a woman's right to choose, access to contraception and other preventive services, and equal pay for equal work.

13) I am a liberal because I believe in tolerance, whether it be different faiths, races/ethnicities, or sexual orientations.

14) I am a liberal because I want clean energy and an end to our dependence on fossil fuels now instead of kicking the can further down the road.

15) I am a liberal because I believe in human rights, and that a nation that tortures is one that loses its moral authority in the world.

I could write more, but I'm done here.  Feel free to comment with your reasons.