Why start a blog?

I have been writing letters to the editor for our local newspaper for some time. Although the feedback I get from friends and acquaintances has been positive, the exposure via newspaper circulation has been minimal. Someone suggested starting a blog to overcome this. She said it would increase exposure and, if I wanted, I could get comments from readers. Frankly, I don’t know if I am ready for that. I enjoy a spirited discussion and even an occasional argument, but I really don’t relish an ongoing defense of my opinions.

I have found that most people with liberal or “progressive” leanings don’t read conservative writing. Most of the liberals I know want me to read Obama’s books but they don’t want to read Michelle Malkin, Bill O’Reilly or Sean Hannity -- much less Glenn Beck. So, writing a blog would most likely be like preaching to the choir. On the other hand, there may be that occasional truly liberal person willing to at least listen to the other side of the debate. After all, the true definition of a liberal is one who is open to all aspects of an idea without peremptorily discarding any view. Based on that hope, I felt slightly more open to the idea of writing a blog.

Then, there is the familial consideration. I have four children. Two I would consider conservative or at least leaning in that direction. The other two, I would tend to classify as more liberal. Now, that has gotten me in trouble from time to time, because there are several definitions of liberal. Many liberals say they are patriotic while others say that patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel. I will concede that it may be possible for a liberal to be truly patriotic. I suppose that has something to do with how one defines liberal. The term that I have begun to use in place of liberal is “progressive.” This classification, I believe, is more restrictive in that it describes a person who subscribes to the politics of 20th Century progressives beginning with Woodrow Wilson and his cohorts and includes Margaret Sanger, Walter Lipmann and even Franklin Roosevelt. I choose at this point not to name those current personalities whom I would include in the latest generation of progressives. Obviously, some of the things I would say in a blog would ruffle the feathers of one or more of my children. This is a risk, but then I would hope that all of this is an exercise in idea-sharing rather than calling out individuals because of their beliefs. This assumes that either of my two more liberal children will actually read my musings.

A note on my mindset. I am an unabashed conservative and a Constitutionalist. I also consider myself a patriot. I do not consider myself to be a “mindless” conservative or patriot. Not everything labeled conservative is good and not all labeled liberal is bad. On the other hand, I tend to group things progressive as being insidious, deceptive and essentially evil. This is an important distinction. The definition of progressive politics or progressive policies must be clarified. I have certainly not pulled my understanding or definitions out of some dark cavity where the sun never shines. I am not particularly creative. I do read a bit and I am opinionated. Hopefully, those who are patient enough to read my postings over time will come to understand the historical basis for my opinions.

A final thought on writing a blog. Over a year ago, I attended my first TEA Party. I was convicted then and there that grousing and complaining about the state of our nation and its current direction was unproductive. At least this applies to the kind of grousing and complaining I was doing. It was over coffee or a glass of wine or talking with likeminded people after church. I began writing letters to the editor because I wanted to do more than complain. Next, I joined a TEA Party group. (It is a grassroots movement, not a political party.) My involvement has been significant and somewhat rewarding; however, I think that by writing out my opinions and comments I might be able to touch more people. So, here I am taking the first step in creating a blog. What should I post? Who will read it? What difference will it make? I have no answers to these questions, but I want to do something and for right now this seems to be the thing to do.