Here’s some Moxie for you, I’m talking politics.

* Note: This was originally posted in Everyday Bliss, the blog before Bliss Habits – Please enjoy!

I have a friend who lists his political affiliation on Facebook as “Liberal with Balls.” Since reading that, oh six or seven months ago, I have been thinking about my own political bias. I can definitely own the Liberal part, I voted for our president, believe in same sex or whoever wants to do it marriage, I recycle, buy organic and I am a bit afraid of Sarah Palin but beyond this I can’t really own much more. I grew up in a house where it wasn’t polite to talk about politics and we never did. My father was a registered republican and, I’m sure, wondered where he went wrong because all three of his kids lean left. Perhaps he should have talked to us after all!

When I was in college I was called “Kathy Political” by many of my friends and I even did a stint as the Student Association President. There were definitely left and right camps in the student senate but nothing nearly as pronounced as our Washington one. The most controversial thing I ever did was veto funding on a concert. It would have eaten up 50% of our activity budget and only 20% of the student body could have gone. It didn’t make ANY sense to me and from that point I was pretty strictly considered a part of the “conservative camp” which is odd since more services for more people seems like a pretty liberal proposition!

When I was in my twenties I campaigned for Paul Simon (not the singer!) and became disillusioned when after he lost he sent me a chain letter thanking me for my support and asking me to buy his book… all this enclosed in a Christmas card of his family. Tacky tacky tacky! From that point on I just ignored politics.

Those of you who have known me a long time can vouch for the fact that I am not a shy person. I am willing to speak up when I see discrimination and/or environmental issues that concern me but if the truth is to be told I do so with so much tact as often to not make an impact at all. Perhaps this could be called a “whispering liberal” because some how over time it became more important to be liked then to be audibly honest about what I really think.

I’m convinced this is a slippery slope. If everyone remained polite the Nazi’s would likely still rule Europe. If our founding fathers didn’t have that nice tea party the United States might still be a British Colony. If Rosa Parks didn’t take a seat on that bus, if Elizabeth Cady Stanton didn’t risk her families comfort etc. etc. the world would be a very different place.

I don’t believe in slamming my opinion down other people’s throats and I am a firm believer that the world works best when all opinions are addressed. It should, however, be possible for me to speak proudly and loudly of the opinions I do have. You don’t have to agree, and I’d love to hear your opinion too. I’m still not quite up to labeling myself “Liberal with Balls” but I am starting feel the hopeful upswing of some liberal moxie! I’ll keep you posted!