Archangelwolf
Hub City Progressive
Hey, what's up!
I am a progressive living in Texas. So, I am kind of used to being in the minority in discussions. I say I am a progressive, because that is my primary political identification. For now, that tends to put me with the Democrats; but I do not believe everything they are doing is progressive, and I will state as so.
I used to be a Republican up until 2003 and I left because I did not agree with the basis of the Iraq War, but mainly because of philosophical differences on a variety of social conservative issues in my hometown (all politics is local, right?). I considered myself an Independant until I registered with the Texas Democratic Party in 2006; and rode the wave of anti-Bush sentiment into control of Congress. The main thing is that I knew what I was against; but I didn't really know what I was for. Upon further discussion, I began to self-reflect and realize what principles I truly lived by, and it basically can be summed up in the following statement:
"Basically, there are two principles I live by. No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care, and no one can manipulate or offend you without your permission. In a nutshell, I believe that when we realize we are personally responsible for our circumstances and refuse to define ourselves according to the whims and desires of others; it is then that we truly gain control of our own lives. We all try to manipulate others to an extent. It is not necessarily a bad thing in that it is a natural survival instinct, a form of self-preservation, to find leverage in life. What separates us from our counterparts in the animal kingdom is our ability to take initiative and choose the more courageous choice of stepping back and being straight with each other. We can assert what we want and need, yet respect that others are not responsible for our welfare. When we realize that the show of good will towards another is a privilege and not something that we are entitled to; then we truly experience what it means to be free!"
So, here today I stand as a proud Texas Progressive Democrat. I join the tradition that includes such names as Sam Houston, John Nance Garner, Lyndon Johnson, Lloyd Bentsen, Ann Richards, and others. We are a wild and unpredictable bunch. Houston was forced to resign as Governor of Texas because he refused to take the oath to the Confederacy. Garner, after serving two terms as Vice-President under Franklin Roosevelt in the 1930's, attempted to defeat FDR's unprecedented third presidential nomination in 1940 because he believed it was not right, and over their disagreements about some New Deal legislation and other philosophical differences. Lyndon Johnson pushed for Civil Rights legislation that was originally introduced by John Kennedy even though most in his party, especially the south, were against it. Basically, here in Texas, we don't always tow party lines here. In some ways, we create them.
So, the best advice I can give you in dealing with me is to not judge a book by its cover. I am more than a letter next to my name. I don't subscribe to the belief that only one side of the aisle has all the answers; and I certainly do not hold the position that because someone disagrees with me that they lack intelligence, are morally deficient, are evil, or simply hate America. I will listen to what you have to say; and if your ideas have merit, I will state so whether you are a Democrat or not. So, don't assume you know where I stand; and don't assume that you can define me. I will be straight with you. You have my word. Integrity is important; and the lessons I have learned in the past, most because of my own bad judgment, have certainly taught me that it is important for folks to say what they mean and mean what they say.
Thank you!
Arch, the Hub City Progressive
I am a progressive living in Texas. So, I am kind of used to being in the minority in discussions. I say I am a progressive, because that is my primary political identification. For now, that tends to put me with the Democrats; but I do not believe everything they are doing is progressive, and I will state as so.
I used to be a Republican up until 2003 and I left because I did not agree with the basis of the Iraq War, but mainly because of philosophical differences on a variety of social conservative issues in my hometown (all politics is local, right?). I considered myself an Independant until I registered with the Texas Democratic Party in 2006; and rode the wave of anti-Bush sentiment into control of Congress. The main thing is that I knew what I was against; but I didn't really know what I was for. Upon further discussion, I began to self-reflect and realize what principles I truly lived by, and it basically can be summed up in the following statement:
"Basically, there are two principles I live by. No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care, and no one can manipulate or offend you without your permission. In a nutshell, I believe that when we realize we are personally responsible for our circumstances and refuse to define ourselves according to the whims and desires of others; it is then that we truly gain control of our own lives. We all try to manipulate others to an extent. It is not necessarily a bad thing in that it is a natural survival instinct, a form of self-preservation, to find leverage in life. What separates us from our counterparts in the animal kingdom is our ability to take initiative and choose the more courageous choice of stepping back and being straight with each other. We can assert what we want and need, yet respect that others are not responsible for our welfare. When we realize that the show of good will towards another is a privilege and not something that we are entitled to; then we truly experience what it means to be free!"
So, here today I stand as a proud Texas Progressive Democrat. I join the tradition that includes such names as Sam Houston, John Nance Garner, Lyndon Johnson, Lloyd Bentsen, Ann Richards, and others. We are a wild and unpredictable bunch. Houston was forced to resign as Governor of Texas because he refused to take the oath to the Confederacy. Garner, after serving two terms as Vice-President under Franklin Roosevelt in the 1930's, attempted to defeat FDR's unprecedented third presidential nomination in 1940 because he believed it was not right, and over their disagreements about some New Deal legislation and other philosophical differences. Lyndon Johnson pushed for Civil Rights legislation that was originally introduced by John Kennedy even though most in his party, especially the south, were against it. Basically, here in Texas, we don't always tow party lines here. In some ways, we create them.
So, the best advice I can give you in dealing with me is to not judge a book by its cover. I am more than a letter next to my name. I don't subscribe to the belief that only one side of the aisle has all the answers; and I certainly do not hold the position that because someone disagrees with me that they lack intelligence, are morally deficient, are evil, or simply hate America. I will listen to what you have to say; and if your ideas have merit, I will state so whether you are a Democrat or not. So, don't assume you know where I stand; and don't assume that you can define me. I will be straight with you. You have my word. Integrity is important; and the lessons I have learned in the past, most because of my own bad judgment, have certainly taught me that it is important for folks to say what they mean and mean what they say.
Thank you!
Arch, the Hub City Progressive
