About Liberal Values

Liberal Values stresses traditional liberal values which are opposed by Republicans and now forgotten by the Democratic establishment. This includes support for individual liberties, an economy which is controlled neither by the state nor by a small oligarchy, a rational defense policy rather than neoconservative interventionism, separation of church and state, increased government transparency and accountability, and restoration of the limitations on government power which have been eroded in recent years. Liberal Values opposes the warfare/surveillance state, the drug war, and other restrictions on the rights of the individual.

Liberal Values stresses the origins of liberalism in stressing liberty, as well as the ideas of the enlightenment in supporting science and reason along with a secular society where everyone is free to practice or not practice the religion of their choice. While everyone has the right to turn to religious views for guidance in their individual lives, religious views are personal and should never be the sole justification for government policy.

Liberal views on freedom, as well as an appreciation for science, grew out of the enlightenment. Attacks on science and reason represent one of the major problems of the day, primarily from the religious right but sometimes from portions of the left. This includes denial of evolution as a fundamental principle of modern biology and denial of the scientific consensus on climate change.

Liberal Values was founded to promote views including defense of civil liberties, keeping religion out of public policy, and opposition to senseless wars and restrictions on civil liberties. The blog was founded based upon liberal principles, not to support either political party or be a mirror image of Fox in treating Democrats who fail by this measure any different from Republicans. Nor will I excuse Democrats who repeat the same forms of abuse of power and corruption which became prevalent in the Bush administration, or support the same agenda as seen under Bush/Cheney. Liberal Values supports efforts to either reform the Democratic Party, or to work towards providing a third party alternative if this is not successful.

Liberalism is an ideology, philosophical view, and political tradition which holds that liberty is the primary political value. Liberalism has its roots in the Western Enlightenment, but the term now encompasses a diversity of political thought.

Broadly speaking, contemporary liberalism emphasizes individual rights. It seeks a society characterized by freedom of thought for individuals, limitations on power, especially of government and religion, the rule of law, free public education, the free exchange of ideas, a market economy that supports relatively free private enterprise, and a transparent system of government in which the rights of all citizens are protected. In modern society, liberals favor a liberal democracy with open and fair elections, where all citizens have equal rights by law and an equal opportunity to succeed. . .

Liberalism rejected many foundational assumptions which dominated most earlier theories of government, such as the Divine Right of Kings, hereditary status, and established religion. Fundamental human rights that all liberals support include the right to life, liberty, and property. Liberalism has its roots in the Western Enlightenment, but the term now encompasses a diversity of political thought, with adherents spanning a large part of the political spectrum.

Wikipedia also links to  Liberal Values in their section on Libertarian Democrats.

Welcome to the Liberal Values Blog.