Now that the neoconservatives have a stranglehold on the Republican Party, and the American people have elected a compassionate, well-educated man of peace as our president, the desperate radicals appear to be coming out of the woodwork.
My e-mail inbox has been flooded with hate and fear, the weapons of choice for the crop of disgruntled losers.
Key words keep popping up in these posts: “Creeping socialism,” “liberal,” “Muslim” and “government.”
These words are supposed to cause fear and hate to well up in our breasts and induce us to stomach aches from fear and hate.
“Creeping socialism” appears to mean high taxes and anything that will benefit all of us rather than a select few.
Anyone who has studied economics knows there are no taxes in a socialist economy because the entire entity owns absolutely everything.
Examples of successful socialism are the Israeli kibbutz, monasteries, public schools and the early Christian communities as described in Acts of the Apostles.
My dictionary defines the adjective “liberal” as:
1. Favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs;
2. Noting or pertaining to a political party advocating measures of progressive political reform;
3. Of, pertaining to, based on, or advocating liberalism;
4. Favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, esp. as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties;
5. Favoring or permitting freedom of action, esp. with respect to matters of personal belief or expression: a liberal policy toward dissident artists and writers;
6. Of or pertaining to representational forms of government rather than aristocracies and monarchies;
7. Free from prejudice or bigotry; tolerant: a liberal attitude toward foreigners.
Good examples of liberals are the founding fathers of these United States and quite a few of our citizens and elected officials.
Galvestonians are acquainted with quite a few Muslims. They are good friends and neighbors and were among the first of offer aid to those devastated by Hurricane Ike. Who could have missed the booth they set up in the parking lot of our beautiful new mosque on Broadway after that terrible storm? They represent the majority of people of that faith.
Every religion has its nuts. Muslims are no exception. Historically, most of the terrorism inflicted on this nation has been by organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan, who claim to be Christians. Judging the majority by the minority is hate- and fear-mongering and can give you a stomach ache.
I was taught that government is “of the people, by the people and for the people.” It is what we do together for the benefit of everyone. There four levels of government — federal, state, county and city. Those of us who vote have a say in what these different levels achieve for the benefit of us all. None of them is a foreign entity out to get us.
I refuse to allow the hate and fear mongers to play me. I will continue to do what I hope is best for my family, friends and fellow citizens.
Send all the e-mails you wish. Hit the streets and protest. Blast us with your hate and fear. As a liberal, “creeping socialist” and active participant in government and lucky enough to have Muslim friends and neighbors, I will defend to the death your right to do that.
Would you do the same for me?
Gem Bordages is a retired journalist who lives on Galveston Island.
