My father the "liberal"
My dad sometimes seems disappointed in me because I label myself conservative.
Ever since I could hold a conversation we would go round and round on economics, partisanship, affirmative action, welfare etc... All in good fun of course. He told me I should be a politician because I argue like one. I tried to take that in a good way.
Finally a couple months ago, he is ragging me about Republicans, Bush and conservatives and finally I stopped him and said " Dad, do you know who made me a conservative?"
Taken aback, he said " Who is it... I'll kick his worthless mother fuckin ass"
It's you dad.... Bullshit! he tells me, how could I make you a conservative?
I started naming things off the top of my head.
Dad is a self made man who never took a handout or took the special breaks offered to minorities.
Dad, never took excuses from me or from any of his employees. Show up to work sober, on time and clean and you will have a job and be paid a fair wage. Fuck with me and you are gone.
Dad told me war stories and how proud he was of killing communists and putting an end to Marxist imperialism.
Dad didn't give to charity, but instead offered a job to anyone who was down on his luck. He would give money to poor hard working families. Never to beggars or shiftless people.
Dad is intellectually honest, if a viewpoint goes against his long held beliefs he gives it due consideration and adjusts accordingly.
Dad helped engender my love of firearms collecting and target shooting but never pushed it on me.
Dad taught me that it's better to fight and lose than be forever labeled a coward.
Dad said America is one of the few countries with the morals and strength to take on despots and oppressive regimes without grabbing land or tribute.
I've always been proud of my dad, and the quality I value in him most is his total disdain and hatred for the establishment. He's not afraid of ruffling feathers and pissing people off.
He's never taken a bribe, kissed anyones ass, or been dishonest even when it could have made his life easier.
He has his problems, but I'm glad for what he is... even when we disagree.
Labels: Personal interest, Society
posted by Bill Rowland @ April 22, 2007
26 Comments
26 Comments:
Sounds like you and your father get along pretty good despite him being a "liberal" lol
What did he say to that?
I have many liberal Democrat friends that were brought up in the same way and to this day they are die in the wool liberals. Even when you know their internal fiber just crinches when they hear what liberals stand for.
I have a good frind that is a black woman from Memphis and marched in the streets for MLK and was a block away when he was killed and believes in Christ, school prayer, rugged individualism and all else that is conservative except conservatives. She constantly rails against Bush calling him a "nappy headed SOB".
The American Jews are always siding with the liberals and the liberals seem to be bent on letting the PLO kick Israel into the sea.
I was always brought up to think the Cowboy was the rugged type all real American men should strive to be. Today it is used to demean Bush.
Somtimes I think I missed a day or two in school or missed the memo.
By the way you have a great writing style and well worth reading every day.
It sounds like your Dad really is a conservative but doesn't like those who represent the conservative side.
The titles don't mean much. For example, I wouldn't characterize the Bushies as conservatives. Conservativism is an economic ideology that makes certain assumptions, much like liberaism- both of which are able to be perverted to the intrests of the powerful.
The thing that bends my noodle more than anything else is that someone who would describe themselves as a conservative would continue to support such clearly corrupt yahoo's as the current crop over one key issue? For example, I know a woman who believes strongly about abortion, and supports Bush despite all the other distateful things he brings because this is HER issue. At what point do people say their issue (whatever it is) really needs to be deferred long enough to fix more significant problems?
It shows you love and respect your dad.
I don't like when people put down our president. He is a human being that is trying to run our country. He has to make decisions, hard decisions that will affect us all. It seems to me he has a very hard job. And that goes for all our presidents. I don't think we as a nation will ever totally agree on who is best for the job.
I dread this coming election with Hilary in the race.
Yes, I'm old fashioned. I believe women have a place in society and we shouldn't over step our role. I believe we have done just that by demanding equal rights. There are jobs men do, that I don't the priviledge of doing. I don't believe women are cut out to do a man's job and visa versa.
And maybe I better be quiet and step down from my soap box.
Whatever he is ... conservative or liberal ... he is your dad and he has made a good man out of you, Hammer.
I do agree with Jeannie though. He sounds conservative, but don't recognize himself in those politicians who represent the conservatives.
He is conservative in a conservative way, while the politicians are conservative in a hypocrisy way.
(know what I mean?)
snowmanpoop: we still argue like crazy but we still respect each other and have fun with our verbal sparring :)
Pirate: thank you, I don't understand, self hating jews, and conservatives that support leftists just becuause of the way they were raised. I'm an independent but will give kudos to anyone who does the right thing.
Yeah I remeber cowboy becoming a dirty word under reagan becuase he played a cowboy in the movies and ran the country like one.
He was an honorable man too.
Jeannie: good call, howeverI think he hates everything with an R next to his name especially bush.
Stucco: Bush spends like a drunken sailor and doesn't represent my beliefs either except regarding gun control. The alternatives to bush were horrid as well. I'm an independent but that gets me almost nowhere.
little lamb: I dread hillary too. I think we could have a woman president, I would take margaret thatcher in a heart beat!
Kirsten: Thank you :) You are right, he is a rebel and likes to side with the underdog instead of the powers that be. I sometimes don't like choices made under those circumstances, but that doesn't keep us from getting along.
ok ,I stop by this blog because I love the stories you tell hammer..I usually read, giggle then move on..but I have to say as much as I don't like Hilary Clinton either, as a woman I need to remind "lamb" that this is a new century and I guess I am not old fashioned enough because I think a woman should have every single right a man does..if she so chooses..and I shouldn't have to have a "place" in society that is decided by my gender...that being said, I agree with you hammer that I would take Margaret T. over hilary in a heartbeat and would love to see Mrs Bush in the boxing ring with Hilary.lmaooooooo.
Because of my name, people assume i am a liberal.
I did not choose my name.
I do not agree with all liberal ideals.
I also, do not think that the things that you describe as your Dad's values jibe with what I have encountered as "conservative republicanism"
so therefor, i am not a conservative republican either, because for the most part, they appear low down and greedy to me. (not all, just the ones I have been made aware of)
So, I don't know what my particular label is.
Maybe it's middle of the road?
Maybe it's where your Dad is at.
And maybe it's old school Republican... waaay back in the day, when they were the liberals, remember that? I think it was around Lincoln's time.
Anyway, I see your point.
Hope he didn't go out back and kick the shit out of himself!
Very good post...I could have said the exact same thing to my dad - but he would not have listened.
Dad sounds all right and by the looks of it you didn't turn out so bad. Whatever his political leanings you all have a nice family. Enjoy his company, ask questions, and learn as much about him as you can.
I really miss my parents and I actually know so little of their past..
Canadian flake, I honor all women who take a role in society and support any task they want to take on, whether it be fighter pilot, president or home-maker. I do not agree with giving special considerations to them but think they should be chosen on the same standards without prejudice.
infinitesimal:I think we agree. My favorite president was a man much like you describe, he desegregated the military, fought corrupt big business and was still strong enough to take on the commies.
mushy lol he probably did, I sent him a copy of this post and he was pleased with it. He says I turned out good.
phosgene: I'm lucky, I spent countless hours listening to stories about his life and he sent me a manuscript of the book he wrote which had things I never knew about.
Labels are bullshit. One minute you can sound like a conservative and the next you can sound like a liberal.
Ever consider being a moderate? At least it is a middle label.
I'm afraid all that stuff goes way over my head......that's why I write kids songs....I can understand their stuff!!! =)
Whatever he is or you are, you have learned a lot of good things from him.
I was wondering how your dad was doing with your stepmother. How are things there?
I just found your blog.
Can I hear an "Allelujah"? Love this post.
This sounds just like my Dad. But Dad would never have considered himself a conservative nor a liberal..I don't think he even thought about it that much. I do know he was a registered democrat but in Oklahoma in his time
damn near everyone was a democrat..that was back when the democrats stood for something instead of standing against everything decent.
I don't consider myself a conservative..nor a liberal in todays vernacular..I am more of a classical liberal much as were the founders of the USA..and today that belief is probably best described as neo libertarian.
Your dad sounds like he was neither liberal or conservative....
He sounds like he was just a very straightforward, down to earth guy with no bullshit.
I'm pretty sure he passed that on.
bbc: I'll call myself an independent, moderates are fence sitters
kb: thanks, I think that's how to explain it :)
Janet: I'm avoiding the subject for sake of my blood pressure. I'm sure I'll have to face it sooner or later.
karen: thanks for visiting :)
I appreciate it.
guyk: That's how I describe myself too, but I use conservative to explain certain aspects that I agree with depending on whether I want to go into the subject of libertarianism. My dad was raised the same way, democrats stood for something, it's hard for him to realize that's not the case for the upper elite anymore.
ryan: Thanks I think you're right :)
I agree with ryan 100%.
Great story. I'm convinced that anyone raised by two average, normal parents in this country over the past 30 years is inevitably socially conservative. And if you're socially conservative, the rest will follow. For the purposes of being a foil to extreme (right and left) I still call myself an independent. But I'm not kidding myself. I'm no Switzerland. My parents have been hardcore conservatives since I was a little kid. But even if I hadn't known who they voted for, the manner in which they raised me would have eventually pushed me to the right anyway as I grew older.
Anyway, sounds like your dad is a wise man.
Labels suck, but yer dad sounds cool. Sounds like he did a good job with you. My dad raised me to be conservative, but he rode the govt for everything he could get. HUGE welfare queen, but in his cse it's called a government retirement pension.
Bwahaha. My dad is a staunch republican. I grew up in an ultra conservative home that allowed no freedom, zero liberties, while the parents constantly reminded me what a disappointment I was to everyone.
I have more or less distanced myself from them and all that negativity. But whenever I'm bored, I take a liberal stand on the war in Iraq and listen to my dad rant on the phone for an hour.
I can hear the spit smacking the phone. I can visualize the part in his hair falling to shit as his hair flops all over the top of his head.
Payback's a bitch.
Profoundly beautiful post Hammer! My Dad also is a a die hard liberal & when it comes to politics, I just don't go there with him. He taught me in so many ways like your father did with you... by example.
"He's not afraid of ruffling feathers." Sounds like you. :)
Your pop sounds like such a good guy. Good for you. And you are a credit to him, as a father.
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