My political beliefs are rooted in Individualism; not ‘individualism’ in the Ayn Rand/Tea Party/Murray Rothbard/Republican modes but in the philosophical tradition. Philosophers such as T.H. Green, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Edmund Burke, Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin have had an influence on my political beliefs. I neither align myself with Republicans or Democrats, Conservatives or Liberals and I tend to base my politics more on a world view and the liberties of the individual. I am a firm supporter of the First Amendment, free speech and freedom of religion. I strongly support separation of church and state and believe religion should have absolutely no role in government. I am also a supporter of welfare liberalism.
Individualism means to me encompassing religious and ideological nonconformity and the philosophy of natural rights. It is signified by a cult of privacy combined with the growth of self-assertion to give the highest individual development. It is autonomy of reason and free enquiry. It has the powers of individual reason maintained by the spontaneous collaboration of free persons that often creates things which are greater than their individual minds can fully comprehend. Individualism must submit to the anonymous and irrational forces of society.
I am a registered independent and believe that that government has an important rule to play when protecting individual rights. I do believe, like Barry Goldwater, that we must have a strong military to protect our freedoms and personal liberty. I do believe that the focus of military should be more of a defensive one rather than offensive today (i.e.: Star Wars). I also believe that government must play a role in education. That government must supply and support routes for those wanting to expand their education. I believe this can only help the individual and turn help strengthen the country. I also believe government should provide a health care system that would compete with the free market. One that provides care to those who cannot afford health care, and again this strengthens the individual and the country as a whole.
I am a believer in welfare liberalism and the philosophy of T.H. Green. I believe in the value of individual liberty, and maintain that government is not a necessary evil. Properly directed, government can be a positive force for promoting individual liberty by ensuring that everyone enjoys equal opportunity in life. Green said to overcome obstacles in freedom and opportunity it is necessary to enlist the power of the state. Freedom is not merely a matter of being left alone; it is a positive power or ability to do something. Thus a child born into poverty, with no real opportunity to escape, is not truly free to grow and develop to his/her full abilities. Anyone who values individual liberty will want to take steps to overcome those circumstances that are such formidable obstacles to freedom. Society acting through government should establish hospitals, aid the needy, and regulate working conditions to promote the workers’ health and well-being. Only through public support would the poor and powerless members of society become truly free. Everyone gains freedom when they serve the common good. The laws and programs that help the unfortunate smooth social relations, and restrict all-out competition are positive aids to liberty, not restraints that limit freedom and capitalism.
I am also a big supporter of separation of church and state. I do not like seeing any religious overtones in our government. I am a firm believer in religious freedom, but religion should be a private and personal manner of the individual. I am proud in live in a country that can have many different faiths and beliefs. I truly believe that is if we had a national religion that this country would not exist today. The very fact that we can voice our opinions about religion (like the billboards in New York City) and not have any violence is proof of our tolerance and uniqueness in the world.
-Sean Gens
