[LSPoorEeyorick]

I am the youngest child, and the first liberal, of a family of conservative Catholics. And truthfully, I don't know exactly why I ended up the way I am. Genes? A slightly more free-form childhood? The fact that I'm saddled with extreme empathy? I don't know.

My brother was an Alex P. Keaton in high school, and even supported his then-governor when he ran for president six years ago. He and I had many conversations about why I was choosing to vote Green (my reason, primarily, was that I thought the two-party system was complete bunk.) But soonafter, as we invaded Iraq, I tried to razz him about his boy from Texas, and he'd lost his sense of humor. I know he voted for Kerry in the last election, as did most of my family. As did I. It was Bush's actions that lead me to declare myself a democrat, and to work for the campaign in 2004.

For my parents, and I think my sister as well, it's often a one-issue election. And that issue is abortion. While I understand their sadness and myself believe that abortion is murder (and no, I don't want to debate it with you; we probably have different opinions of when "life" starts and I don't want to talk about it) I spent a long time trying to impress upon my family that the 2004 election was NOT a one-issue election, and in fact, no amount of voting weighted by pro-life intentions was going to make any difference. But voting for Kerry might have affected the lives since lost in Iraq, on both sides of the conflict.

Why am I a liberal? Because I believe that all people deserve as good a life as possible. Because I believe that not everyone is capable of doing that themselves. Because I believe that all people should have equal rights, regardless of race, gender, or sexual preference. Because I am currently blessed with enough money to live comfortably, a direct result of my parents' ability to provide my food, shelter and education. Because I know that other parents cannot easily provide that for their children. Because I would rather have higher taxes and better education for ALL children in ALL cities of this country. Because I support the arts. Because I think war should be the very last resort. Because I think it's every bit as important to be free to burn a flag as it is to be free to raise it. Because I think it's every bit as patriotic to question the president as to praise him.