Confessions of an Extremist

Today, listening to the Turks on Air America I found out that I am an extremist. Not only that, the campaign ads that ran in my area called my views extremist. That offends me and puts me in the same category as those who blow up innocent children with their suicide bombs and even Hitler himself.

I wish that those who say such things could meet me and most everyone else who thinks like I do because I’m a pretty mild-mannered person who never breaks the law except for a little speeding. I pay more than my fair share of taxes and I don’t cheat on my taxes. I give a lot of my income to others. My job is helping people and I try to do it well and kindly regardless of how they look or what they say or think.

I feel strongly that certain things such as abortion, gay marriage and embryo stem cell research are morally wrong. I’ve been friends with gay people and I know some who have sold their discarded embryos. I know a few people who have had abortions. I don’t look down on them or avoid them. I try to see the other side of these things and I listen to/read other opinions and review my own to see if I’m wrong. No one has been able to convince me otherwise.

I’m not going to blow up abortion clinics or picket anywhere or call people names. I make my voice known by voting every chance I get and every once in awhile I write a letter to my congressman or senator or a tv station.

I don’t see much reason for government to interfere in moral issues. The government should be limited and should provide the kind of environment where freedom, not license, can thrive.
Not too long ago my views were very mainstream and normal. While I don’t want to go back to those days I do wish we could stick to the old labels of conservative and liberal. They’ve been around for a long time and they’ve worked quite well. We used to respect each other's views.

Some day there will be no values to appreciate and whatever anyone wants to do will be acceptable. Differences will no longer be appreciated and dialogue will not be possible. I pray that I am wrong.