What is your political label?

The attempt to demonize great ideas like college debt forgiveness always reminds me of the scene in "Monty Python's Life of Brian" where Reg, leader of the People's Front of Judea, wonders, "What have the Romans ever done for us?"

He then adds: "All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?"

So what have the flaming liberals ever done for you?

As George McGovern once told a reporter from the National Journal, "Every program that ever helped working people — from rural electrification to Medicare — was enacted by liberals over the opposition of conservatives. When people tell me they don't like liberals, I ask, 'Do you like Social Security? If so, then shut up!'" When will Republicans learn that demonizing liberals as 'socialists' doesn't work? Robin Abcarian , Los Angeles Times, January 28, 2021

It's tax preparation time. Now that I am retired and my income has simplified, I am doing my own income taxes with the help of just a free online site. I still chant my mantra "I'm happy to have income on which to pay taxes. I'm happy to have income on which to pay taxes.", as I have done for many years. And like every  year, I always wonder if I am getting my dollar's worth from the money I give to the government.

• I am happy to see my social security payments show up like clockwork on the fourth Wednesday of every month.
• But I wonder if families with $150,000 annual incomes need "stimulus" checks.
• I am happy to see my Minnesota tax dollars do more to fund our state colleges and universities
• But I wonder if tuition forgiveness is wise and ask why we pay university administrators exorbitant salaries
• I am happy to pay taxes to maintain our streets and highways
• But I wonder if those four-lane roads between small towns in the rural part of the state are necessary
• I am glad our governor is taking proactive steps to contain the spread of COVID-19
• But I wonder if closing/limiting the capacity of restaurants, gyms etc is wise

I could go on and on.

As I read the opinion section of the two newspapers, the letters and editorialists and columnists seem to divide into those who report on what the government does for people and those who report on what the government does to people.  The same people who complain about government regulations are happy to take government subsidies. I don't like to think that people are hypocritical, but that they just don't think things through. And that includes me. 

I really dislike the labels we place on each other and especially on our political leaders - liberal or conservative; socialist or capitalist, libertarian or statist, left-winger or right-winger. I find all these names counter-productive generalizations. Most people I know are more complex in their beliefs and values to put in a single box.

In all our discussions about politics, religion, education, and other value-laden topics, I hope we look at each other as individuals rather than stereotypes.

Well, back to my taxes. Oh, look who is helping!