I read a recent (May 21, 2020) Facebook post by a friend from
my 1969-70 mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that
purportedly was written by Hollywood’s
Ron Howard. After reading through Howard’s points on his personal style of
liberalism, I found myself feeling that maybe I’m somewhat of a closet-liberal
myself. I believe in helping the needy and unfortunate, too. I also agreed on several
other points – kind of. But then I realized what was missing in his manifesto:
God’s plan for His children.
There was a War in Heaven over how our earth experience
was going to play out. There were two proposals fought over (probably a battle
of words): Satan’s plan vs. Christ’s and God’s plan. Satan’s would force all
people to obey God’s laws and thus make sure everyone would return to God. On
the other hand, Christ’s plan would allow all of God’s children to retain their
Free Agency to choose to obey God’s laws or disobey them. And, yes, there would
be consequences, but all tied into Christ’s Atonement. If we are forced to
follow God’s laws, then we learn nothing. If we learn to obey Gods laws by choice,
then we will become more and more like our Father in Heaven and ultimately
receive all that he has in store for us – which is Eternal Life, the kind of
life that He lives.
Those who do things because they are forced to do so, though
they might be good things, learn nothing and will not gain the attributes
needed to become more like our Father in Heaven.
If you don’t believe in God, nothing I say will mean much
of anything to you. But here are two absolute truths: there is one true God; and all people who have
lived, are living or will live on this earth approved of Christ and God’s plan
of Free Agency, Atonement and redemption in that final vote in Heaven.
With this in mind, let’s see which side of the Plan of
Salvation these following points fall under. I’ll make my comments, which will
be shown in bold lavender type.
This pretty much sums up my beliefs of what being a liberal
is. Leave it to Ron Howard to put it so succinctly.
Please read this, especially if your first inclination is
not to read it.
Ron Howard
January 24 at 5:41 AM
I'm a liberal, but that doesn't mean what a lot of you apparently think it
does. Let's break it down, shall we? Because quite frankly, I'm getting a
little tired of being told what I believe and what I stand for. Spoiler alert:
not every liberal is the same, though the majority of liberals I know think
along roughly these same lines:
1. I believe a country should take care of its
weakest members. A country cannot call itself civilized when its children,
disabled, sick, and elderly are neglected. PERIOD.
But how do we go about taking care of them? (Well,
we are civilized but not a utopian society. It’s obvious that children, the disabled,
sick and elderly should be cared for. But opinions on how to do that differ. I
oppose passing law after law after law or endless tax rules to bureaucratically
try to be the caretaker of all! In addition. I think doing so reeks of Satan’s
plan – forcing people to do what they should do themselves. Wouldn’t Christ
want us to willingly lift up those in need? If we do this through our own choice,
then we will learn compassion and all other attributes needed to become more
like God – who has given us everything and was not forced to do so.)
2. I believe healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Somehow
that's interpreted as "I believe Obamacare is the end-all, be-all."
This is not the case. I'm fully aware that the ACA has problems, that a
national healthcare system would require everyone to chip in, and that it's
impossible to create one that is devoid of flaws, but I have yet to hear an
argument against it that makes "let people die because they can't afford
healthcare" a better alternative. I believe healthcare should be far
cheaper than it is, and that everyone should have access to it. And no, I'm not
opposed to paying higher taxes in the name of making that happen. (Healthcare
is not an inherent right but a benefit of a developed society. The price of
healthcare obviously should be cheaper, but, again, man is given free agency –
and many choose to make money off the suffering of others. If we, as citizens
of this Republic, are forced to pay for the cost of healthcare for all, then we
have again followed Satan’s plan to take away our free agency to willingly help
others. Thus, we fail to learn to give of ourselves and fail to gain the
attributes needed for our life in the eternities. The world is ripe for the
Second Coming because of our wickedness, including not caring for the needy. In
the eternities, the needy will no longer be in need but will inherit their blessings
from our Heavenly Father.)
3. I believe education should be affordable. It doesn't
necessarily have to be free (though it works in other countries so I'm
mystified as to why it can't work in the US), but at the end of the day, there
is no excuse for students graduating college saddled with five- or six-figure
debt. (We need affordable education – even in elementary through high
school. And parents should have the freedom of choice on where they enroll
their children. As for college, the idea that taxpayers should be forced to pay
the debts of graduates falls under Satan’s plan – taking away freedom of choice
from taxpayers, who would be required to pay for those debts, and students, who should experience the
consequences of their college choices. And whatever happened to trade school
training – even at the high school level? Too often students go to high-cost
colleges for degrees that end up as useless pieces of paper. Plus, many fall
for the anti-America indoctrination they encounter. Yes, it’s true that the cost
of college education is way out of whack, again because of man’s greed –
choosing to worship money and its power.)
4. I don't believe your money should be taken from you and
given to people who don't want to work. I have literally never encountered
anyone who believes this. Ever. I just have a massive moral problem with a
society where a handful of people can possess the majority of the wealth while
there are people literally starving to death, freezing to death, or dying
because they can't afford to go to the doctor. Fair wages, lower housing costs,
universal healthcare, affordable education, and the wealthy actually paying
their share would go a long way toward alleviating this. Somehow believing that
makes me a communist. (This just reeks of Satan’s plan! The wealthy are not
evil inherently, but if they choose to not help others as Christ would have
them do, then they their souls will be cankered and they will fail to progress
toward what the Lord would have them become. Americans have long suffered the
abuse of greedy capitalists, Wall Street brokers, corrupt government leaders
who have twisted the laws and business practices to benefit themselves and
their allies. They have chosen their path, and the people suffer for it. The level
of corruption and debauchery in America and throughout the world are signs of the
Last Days. Soon the mighty will stand before the great and dreadful bar of judgement.
And all will know then that each is responsible for his or her actions, and it won’t
matter whether we were rich, middle class or poor in this life. If we will
strive to learn from our experiences and try to do better each time we fall, then
we will inherit His blessings. Let us praise the rich who truly reach out and
help others as much as they can. I think Jon Huntsman was a good example of
doing that. Actually, if we don’t believe in the afterlife or God’s plan, then
most everything can seem senseless and unfair.)
5. I don't throw around "I'm willing to pay higher
taxes" lightly. If I'm suggesting something that involves paying more,
well, it's because I'm fine with paying my share as long as it's actually going
to something besides lining corporate pockets or bombing other countries while
Americans die without healthcare. (I agree on most of that, but for most
Americans, paying more taxes isn’t really an option. So, maybe for those who have
extra millions in the bank, I encourage them pay more to help others, even donate
more to the IRS or find private non-profit groups who actually do help the
poor. Or maybe round up all your rich friends and have them pool their extra money
and pay the healthcare costs of as many poor as you can – or better yet, help
the poor and needy get training or jobs to improve their lot so they can take
care of themselves. Do these things voluntarily, and you’ll reap the eternal
blessings of learning to give freely.)
6. I believe companies should be required to pay their
employees a decent, livable wage. Somehow this is always interpreted as me
wanting burger flippers to be able to afford a penthouse apartment and a
Mercedes. What it actually means is that no one should have to work three
full-time jobs just to keep their head above water. Restaurant servers should
not have to rely on tips, multibillion-dollar companies should not have
employees on food stamps, workers shouldn't have to work themselves into the
ground just to barely make ends meet, and minimum wage should be enough for
someone to work 40 hours and live. (This is a dilemma! If we raise the
minimum wage, then many small businesses or franchises may not be able to afford
to stay open – or they may have to automate or cut staff. Yes, God wants all
businesspeople to be fair to their employees, but they have the choice to be
fair or be greedy. They will receive their reward. If we force companies to be
fair, then we are giving in to Satan’s plan, which is to force all people to be
good – damning the Eternal Plan of Progression! Does forcing your children to
make the right choices work? Does it help your kids in the long term? God’s
perspective is the eternities – what will prepare his children for his kingdom
and his lifestyle.)
7. I am not anti-Christian. I have no desire to stop Christians
from being Christians, to close churches, to ban the Bible, to forbid prayer in
school, etc. (BTW, prayer in school is NOT illegal; *compulsory* prayer in
school is - and should be - illegal). All I ask is that Christians recognize
*my* right to live according to *my* beliefs. When I get pissed off that a
politician is trying to legislate Scripture into law, I'm not "offended by
Christianity" -- I'm offended that you're trying to force me to live by
your religion's rules. You know how you get really upset at the thought of
Muslims imposing Sharia law on you? That's how I feel about Christians trying
to impose biblical law on me. Be a Christian. Do your thing. Just don't force
it on me or mine. (A lot of truth in this. We shouldn’t force anyone to
adhere to Christianity. However, America was created by Christians. The
Constitution was inspired by God. And we have been historically a Christian
nation. I think much of the Christian legislation being proposed is to counter
the anti-Christian policies enacted by the misguided or non-believers. One issue
that immediately comes to mind is abortion. If we don’t believe in God and that
he oversees his heirs here on earth, then we have no reason to oppose abortion,
since we obviously believe that man is no more than an animal that can discard
its own. If there is no eternity, there is no consequence. But there is a God,
and people are meant to become more like him. Too many now consider humans as
no more than a highly intelligent animal. But that really is an insult to
animals: Of all God’s creations, only humans have agency to choose to disobey
God’s plan. Animals do as they were created to do. And some are here to torment
man!)
8. I don't believe LGBT people should have more rights than
you. I just believe they should have the *same* rights as you. (Well, this
is a messy situation! When LGBT people cried to have “equal rights” and they eventually
got them, they soon felt empowered to then promote their lifestyle and even use
methods to indoctrinate and recruit others, even children, to their way of life.
As Christ would do, we need to love all of God’s children, but not accept their
sins. If we are forced to accept the sin and that it really isn’t a sin, then
we are being forced to go contrary to our beliefs in God and his vision for his
children.)
9. I don't believe illegal immigrants should come to America
and have the world at their feet, especially since THIS ISN'T WHAT THEY DO
(spoiler: undocumented immigrants are ineligible for all those programs they're
supposed to be abusing, and if they're "stealing" your job it's
because your employer is hiring illegally). I believe there are far more humane
ways to handle undocumented immigration than our current practices (i.e.,
detaining children, splitting up families, ending DACA, etc). (Excuse me,
but they are not just undocumented immigrants, they are people illegally forcing
their way into our country because they want a better life. Nowadays, people from
countries are encouraged by many to come to America and receive benefits as
good or even better than what our own citizens receive. Being illegally in the
states is supposed to make them ineligible for benefits – that is, unless
governments give them the benefits anyway, which is happening in many states.
Illegals have contributed heavily to our welfare rolls and the criminal system.
So, let’s build the wall and then let those who enter legally contribute to the
prosperity of the nation as one people, not divided. Yes, many business owners
use illegals to pad their pockets, but again, they have the right to choose right
from wrong – but they don’t have the power to escape the eternal consequences. As
to another aspect on illegal immigration, I believe the Democrat Party is using
them in their battle for power.)
10. I don't believe the government should regulate
everything, but since greed is such a driving force in our country, we NEED
regulations to prevent cut corners, environmental destruction, tainted
food/water, unsafe materials in consumable goods or medical equipment, etc.
It's not that I want the government's hands in everything -- I just don't trust
people trying to make money to ensure that their products/practices/etc. are
actually SAFE. Is the government devoid of shadiness? Of course not. But with
those regulations in place, consumers have recourse if they're harmed and
companies are liable for medical bills, environmental cleanup, etc. Just kind
of seems like common sense when the alternative to government regulation is
letting companies bring their bottom line into the equation. (The problem
with regulations is that there are too many of them! Too restrictive! Too
Draconian. Yes, we need some common-sense ones, but Satan would regulate every
aspect of a person’s life. Bureaucrats, legislators, and other government
officials who fall into the trap of over regulating become a part of Satan’s
plan to force people to be good. Find the crime and punish, but don’t
manufacture crimes and then punish the innocent.)
11. I believe our current administration is fascist. Not
because I dislike them or because I can’t get over an election, but because
I've spent too many years reading and learning about the Third Reich to miss
the similarities. Not because any administration I dislike must be Nazis, but
because things are actually mirroring authoritarian and fascist regimes of the
past. (Wow! Weird that you would compare Trump and his team to Nazis. I
don’t see any evidence of this. In fact, I believe he’s the one who is fighting
to reduce government’s power over the people. On the other hand, the Democrats
want more taxes, more programs to throw at all the nation’s problems. But the
problems were created under previous administrations – mostly Democratic
administrations. On another point, you mention your reading prowess. Wow! That
makes you an expert! Well, I have lived long enough to remember the days of
Opie and the common-sense lessons from that show. I’ve been around more than 70
years, and I fail to see the Nazi comparison, and my father was a WWII veteran.
But maybe you were actually talking about what the Democrats are trying to
pull. But that is your opinion and mine. Enough said!)
12. I believe the systemic racism and misogyny in our
society is much worse than many people think, and desperately needs to be
addressed. Which means those with privilege -- white, straight, male, economic,
etc. -- need to start listening, even if you don't like what you're hearing, so
we can start dismantling everything that's causing people to be marginalized. (I’m
sorry, but I see a much different picture! And what is with that adjective –
systematic! That is just hyperbole! Over
the past few decades, I have seen an amazing number of blacks enjoying the
fruits of their labors – in all walks of life. Yes, we had big problems in the
past, but the problems are not near as bad as they were. There are, however, a
couple of factors that are still holding back many: the welfare laws and the disintegration
of two-parent families in black communities. Obama was the hope of all,
including me, that he would be a blessing to blacks and wipe out racism. But we
found instead that Obama was accentuating the problem. He used blacks as a tool
in his fight to “remake” America, which included trying to make whites and conservatives
the villains of America. As Biden said recently, “You ain’t black if you vote
for (a white, conservative) Trump!” Personally, I was extremely disappointed in
Obama’s outright efforts to divide the country and remake it into what he and
other leftists envision. His efforts were scary! But now Trump is in the Oval Office,
and Obama’s plan is being thwarted – despite the Mainstream Media and Democrat
Party intrigue. As to the subject of women in America: Huge strides have been
made. Still, the media and the left use skewed statistics to claim that women of today are being paid less than men for the same level of work. And haven't you noticed the number of women in Trump’s administration? Oh,
probably not, because they’re too conservative and thus they don’t count as
feminists. Yes, Trump may have a lot of moral baggage, but he has been amazing in
accomplishing much of what I personally hoped he would do. Talk about
marginalizing people – the left is doing that to the white, straight males of
America. What a joke! Remember, God loves all his children! No limit on which
ones. And he wants us to love one another. And all his children have the
freedom of choice – we love all, or we are racist. To be more like our Father
in Heaven, we need to choose wisely and love all our neighbors.)
13. I am not interested in coming after your blessed guns,
nor is anyone serving in government. What I am interested in is the enforcement
of present laws and enacting new, common sense gun regulations. Got another
opinion? Put it on your page, not mine. (Another hot adjective: blessed!
Then you use the phrase: common-sense laws! Wow! Why don’t we talk about
Biden’s No Gun Zones that have put targets on the backs of millions! This law
takes away the rights of Americans to bear arms and allows crazies to stalk
those same zones because they know the people are like ducks in a barrel. On
the other hand, we find that many crimes have been thwarted or at least put to
an end by those legally carrying. Would God want men to defend themselves and
their families? Look to the example of the Nephites. Today, we have the right to
bear arms because of the Bill of Rights. Does God want men to kill each other?
No! But it is God who will hold the aggressor accountable.
14. I believe in so-called political correctness. I prefer
to think it’s social politeness. If I call you Chuck and you say you prefer to
be called Charles I’ll call you Charles. It’s the polite thing to do. Not
because everyone is a delicate snowflake, but because as Maya Angelou put it,
when we know better, we do better. When someone tells you that a term or phrase
is more accurate/less hurtful than the one you're using, you now know better.
So why not do better? How does it hurt you to NOT hurt another person? (What
you say here is politically correct! But taking it to the extreme can be an
attack on our freedom of speech! Yes, be polite and kind in our conversations,
but we should not freak out and be offended by every word that someone might
say. Should I say anti-abortion, pro-life, pro-choice or pro-abortion? Who made
up these rules? Who will be the final judge?)
15. I believe in funding sustainable energy, including
offering education to people currently working in coal or oil so they can
change jobs. There are too many sustainable options available for us to
continue with coal and oil. Sorry, billionaires. Maybe try investing in
something else. (Cool, you’re using the politically correct term for those
windmills, solar panels, etc. But I’m not sold on their effectiveness nor on
their independence from regular power sources – like the energy needed to
create wind turbines and solar panels, which seem to need replacing more than
is practical and also kill countless birds. Yes, we need to limit emissions,
and our country has done a remarkable job in doing so. That’s not saying we can’t
mobilize efforts to clean up and prevent pollution. But how about going after
the countries that are creating the vast amount of pollution these days in the
air and in the seas. Communist China is the leader in both air pollution and plastics
pollution in our oceans.)
16. I believe that women should not be treated as a separate
class of human. They should be paid the same as men who do the same work,
should have the same rights as men and should be free from abuse. Why on earth
shouldn’t they be? (That’s a no-brainer! A separate class of human? That’s
weird. Are you saying that women are just women until they become feminists? I
hope you’re not saying that! One might say that women are the best part of God’s creation. That’s
why we revere them! We shouldn’t want them to be our equal, because they are
already superior to us in so many ways. As my wise grandson emphasized: "One of the divine purposes of gender is that the union of a male and female can ultimately help complete and perfect each other. That without the other, neither is complete. So while each may have distinct characteristics, each should be complimentary to the other and not above the other.)
I think that about covers it. Bottom line is that I'm a
liberal because I think we should take care of each other. (Yes, that is
true! But it needs to be voluntary – and not coerced!) That doesn't mean
you should work 80 hours a week so your lazy neighbor can get all your money.
It just means I don't believe there is any scenario in which preventable
suffering is an acceptable outcome as long as money is saved. (Remember, we live
in a telestial world where people suffer, face horrible disabilities, heartache
and much more. Yet, all people are free to choose to help others in need (the
right) or just think of themselves (evil). That is why there is so much evil in
the world – too many people just thinking of themselves. But the Lord will not
force us back to him! He is trying to teach us what we need to learn to be a
part of His Celestial Kingdom. Well, that is what was on my brain as I went
through all these points from supposedly Ron Howard. I’m no expert, obviously,
in expressing myself. And I’m still fighting to do as my Father in Heaven would
have me do. I praise him for his plan, which includes the amazing principle of repentance.
Without that, we would be lost forever}
