CORONARE MODESTUS FAUST: latté-enjoying, wine-loving, internet and book-obsessed Progressive, Social-Capitalist living life with his husband of 20+ years.
When not bemoaning ethical failures or mitigating, in some miniscule way, the social damages he and too many other citizens suffer from “Traditional” American Values (social and business), you might find him in the kitchen with a glass of wine (well, that’s a given) preparing yet another Williams-Sonoma recipe while listening to NPR, jazz, or classical music.
Inappropriate personal agendas and indifference toward obligation and ethics are significant annoyances that he addresses by trying to learn more — what wags the world and why. So you’ll find him often re-reading a book — despite pages being obscured by thin pen lines, thick pen lines, circled words, scribbles, notes, comments, and rebuttal — for the umpteenth time. Or perhaps watching some sci-fi social-commentary movie or (smirking) insightful, thought-provoking shows like, “Two-And-A-Half Men,” Raising Hope,” “Modern Family,” and “The Office.”
CORONARE MODESTUS FAUST is currently working through the conundrum of how so many intelligent, educated people manage to place their feet in their mouths while their heads are so firmly up their arses.
He’s frustrated, and believes the nation is threatened, by libertarianism — knowing the objectivist/libertarian belief system is inappropriate to a fruitful, functional society. Libertarians disregard a profound reality: We are responsible for the decisions we make, yes, but we’re not responsible for the options we’re given. Thus, CORONARE MODESTUS FAUST believes that we should create that “society we would want if we didn’t know in advance who we’d be.”
He sees that another libertarian delusion is establishment of the fanciful “self-made” individual. The laughable concept discounts external influence or inspiration and exhibits a blatant disregard for the interconnectedness that is the human condition.
CORONARE MODESTUS FAUST relishes challenging the authority of political, religious, and societal priests, as he liberally supports marriage for everyone, equal rights for everyone, less poison for the environment, progressive taxation, removal of corporate personhood, financial regulation enforcement up to and including criminal incarceration, the elimination of all “consensual crimes,” and many other positions that lead conservatives to squirm uncomfortably in their seats.
He remains convinced that we humans do not have to destroy each other to survive (as in two wars extinguishing 100,000+ lives as revenge for the prior killing of 3000) but that we choose to do so… not the nonsense propounded that genetics or patriotism demands it. CORONARE MODESTUS FAUST knows we have the ability to reason and that too many simply choose the easier way of reactive non-thought.
“This vast number of worlds, the enormous scale of the universe, in my view, has been taken into account, even superficially, in virtually no religion, and especially no Western religions.” –Carl Sagan
Though imbued with a simmering cauldron of rage just below his deceptively pleasant (and not altogether unpleasant looking) exterior, he’s always willing to self-examine and learn — yearning for family, friends, community members to take the same ride.
The hope… the desire… the craving… for forward movement and betterment on cultural, political, and individual levels are woven into his personal fabric, with key objectives toward equality/equitability*, liberty, fraternity, justice-for-all, empathy, self-awareness, growth, momentum, compassion, and humor. (*EQUALITY of advancement opportunity and treatment under the law and social memes — EQUITABILITY of rewards and outcomes [economic and social])
CORONARE MODESTUS FAUST blogs about domestic politics, foreign policy, high culture, pop culture, books, film, television, food, automobiles, design, art, patriarchy, oppression, repression, religion, philosophy, marriage, civil rights, gay rights, and anything else that seems to hit his nerve.
Taking exception with the very concept of “American Exceptionalism,” CORONARE MODESTUS FAUST feels compelled to explore these issues in rambling-though-coherent thoughts and an adventurous assortment of arbitrary amusements.
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Liberalism is “Life.”
It is an unrelenting pursuit of freedom from physical dangers that can kill or disable us.
- The Liberal believes it is a nation’s job to protect its citizens from physical harm, whether from external sources, such as hostile nations, or internal ones, like crime, disease, or hunger. Without the solid ground of physical wellbeing, our nation and its citizens cannot enjoy the benefits of being free.
- Liberals believe in a strong military, well suited to defend the nation.
- Liberals believe in good laws, hard-working police, and a just legal system to protect its citizens from crime.
- Liberals believe in affordable health care for everyone, to keep our people strong.
- And Liberals believe in the availability of food and shelter for its needy, not as a hand out but as a reasonable step in moving all Americans toward self-reliance and the freedom that comes with it.
Liberalism is “Liberty.”
It is the freedom to do as your conscience dictates without impeding another’s rights. Liberalism established a nation where personal belief and self-determination are protected, not persecuted; where hard work is rewarded, not demanded; and where each person is bestowed with the ability to better his or her life because of citizenship, not class.
- Liberals believe in freedom of speech to protect us from political oppression.
- Liberals believe in sound regulations to protect us from economic oppression.
- Liberals believe in just laws to protect us from social oppression.
- And Liberals believe in quality education to protect us from the oppression of ignorance.
Liberalism is “The Pursuit of Happiness.”
It is the freedom to create an environment where the individual can excel. What is freedom if it cannot be used to better our lives? A truly free society must be one where its members can rise above their limitations and expand their futures — it is “The American Dream,” and it’s alive and well in the heart of the Liberal.
- Liberals believe in equal opportunities for all to rise above our means.
- Liberals believe in equal opportunities to rise above our education levels.
- Liberals believe in equal opportunities to rise above our social status.
- And Liberals believe each and every family should have an equal opportunity to make this world better for their children.
Based on these tenets, Liberalism is not the monster it’s made out to be by the opposition.
- It is pro individual and pro family.
- It is pro community and pro country.
- Liberalism is, by its very definition, the heart and soul of what it means to be an American.
- It stands against tyranny of any kind, whether international or domestic.
- It works to remove abuse and fight crime.
- And it strives to eliminate the idea of a wasted life by not wasting resources and opportunities.
August 3rd, 2011 at 2:01 pm
It’s very interesting to read the above definitions of “Liberalism is”.
You could insert “Conservatism is” and the same definitions would apply.
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness require no labels to defend its real meaning or to define its true value. As is the case, these labels have become useful tools of the ruling class to deliberately encourage and instigate divisiveness. You see, in a so called free society, rulers must always position one class or group against another in order to weaken them both. A well United People is far too powerful for Rulers to accomplish their dastardly deeds… as in “Divide and Conquer”.
While Liberals and Conservatives have their Labels to attach themselves to and are busy hurling stones at each other, (all the while believing in “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness), the ruling class is having its tyrannical control over both.
And oh how we have become willing participants in their grand scheme! Playing right into their dirty hands.
Only when enough of the people who realize this stand up and shout..
ENOUGH!! and replace these Tyrannical Manipulators with those of us that have “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” running in our veins, we will never truly experience the fullness of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness that our founders intended for us ALL.
August 3rd, 2011 at 2:21 pm
No doubt, your point can seem correct in a broad brushstroke. My point, though, was to explore the fact that the legitimate defense of “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” is not simply the purview of the American right and conservatives. It is an effort to accord legitimacy to those of us in the Liberal wing who pursue the very same thing from a different perspective. My reading, however, stands for myself and my values, period… and what I read in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution stands for Liberalism. Your definition indicates a battle of ruled against ruling class, while I do not believe that this is a legitimate battle: there will always be the ruled and always be those who rule. I’m only interested that the arrangement improve and protect the lives of the entire society with equity and equality as I defined very clearly. Mine is a philosophical battle of perspective to impact real world policies — justice and equity in a good society of connected citizens. I perceive yours’ as to be an unending quest for abolishment of rulers and governments… that can never occur and is not even worth attempting for a decent modern society. To your point, though, I would argue that the contemporary right-wing (Tea Party specifically) is an attempt by the Koch brothers and other supra-elites to destroy functional government to serve their own power and wealth interests and not at all to secure the rights to “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
November 13th, 2011 at 8:57 pm
As a tradesman your grasp of english is a bit much, but your ideals are akin to mine for that i recommend reading you to my buddys. Anyone who protects and honors Liberty is always welcome to my table. Not as smart and educated, but my hands create beauty. I hold my faust high in Liberty. my thanks
November 19th, 2011 at 12:42 pm
Fantastic –
oh, how we need voices like yours to enervate our moribund political discourse. It amazes me that the “left” has for so many years failed to address the very core issues, and has allowed the radical right (lately labeled “tea party” but more accurately the power-elite neo-conservatives) to own the “defense” liberty and justice.
Our politicians have stood on the side-lines, meekly spouting the very same milquetoast arguments that have failed for over 30 years.
I’ll follow you and comment when I can, and post your words to my small slice of the globe.
Thank you.
November 19th, 2011 at 10:08 pm
Keep up the good work, my friend. You have keen insight. You eloquently and coherently laid out many thoughts that I’ve struggled to express, particularly around balancing the benefits of capitalism with its extremes and abuses. I’ll be coming back, reading and sharing your work again, I’m sure.