Introductions

My name is Chris Walker. I am a liberal, I vote Democratic, and I love my country.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, with a minor in Journalism and Mass Communications. While in college, I wrote a weekly column for the UWM Post that dealt primarily with national political issues as well as some local topics that mattered deeply to me (among them, the right to free speech and dissent within our campus and a ban on gay marriage in the state of Wisconsin).

I believe there are many misconceptions held by mainstream Americans and conservatives about liberalism in our country. For example, liberals are perceived to be anti-family and anti-religious. Yet, using myself as an example, I pray daily (to the Lord, in the privacy of my own mind) and have my own family that I care deeply about. Do I go to church as often as I should? Probably not, but I don't fault my liberalism with this -- it's more my own desire to get some sleep when my son decides to sleep in on Sunday mornings. :-p

Liberalism, in fact, does not preach anti-anything; it is more a belief that the individual is free to choose their own belief structure, their own religion or no religion, their own lifestyle, and so forth, and that government ought to cater to all of these beliefs rather than just a select few Judeo-Christian beliefs. All-inclusiveness is the goal of liberals across the country. It is understandable that the belief can be misconstrued by some to be anti-Christian; yet at the same time, the belief allows those very Christians to continue on without any interference from the government whatsoever.

This blog is an attempt by me to change how some perceive a liberal to be. I will also write my opinions on the day-to-day happenings within the political world. I expect that I won't write in this thing as often as I would like to do -- I'm a busy person with a family to provide for. But like Keith Olbermann of MSNBC, I hope to make at least a few special comments a week with an emphasis on why conservatism is wrong on certain subjects and why liberal beliefs are right.

I welcome comments from both sides, so long as both sides show a measure of logic and humility. And though I am steadfast in my liberal beliefs, like our new president I feel that a bipartisan approach is best to govern. Cooperative measures need to be taken, for everyone feels that their own beliefs are "right;" it would be hypocritical of me to say that my ideals are right when others are so sure in themselves, too. We've come to our opinions in different ways, but we are entitled to have them no matter what.

So this is it: welcome to Political Heat.