This is one of several guest columns that were submitted in response to this question: How do you identify yourself politically (liberal, conservative, Democrat, Republican, Green, Libertarian, independent, something else or none of the above) and what does that mean to you?
By W. Ron Camuñez
I personally don’t like labels. However, your question is about how I define myself. Let me state from the beginning that first and foremost I am an American.
When we try to place ourselves in a box of labels, we diminish who we are. I am “liberal” in some areas and very “conservative” in others. Though I am a registered Republican and have been active in official roles in the past, I don’t hold fast to all Republican doctrines, just as I do not hold fast to all my faith doctrines.
Does this mean I am less a Christian or Republican? Absolutely not! So what does all this mean?
The word change has been cheapened today, just like the word love. We talk about change, yet where is it? Change means different things to different people.
To me change means moving forward in a positive direction with common goals, which brings out the best in people. Today’s change is not clearly defined; we have political change, meaning what? The politicians are the same, so where is the change?
The rhetoric is the same. Our members of Congress are still fighting one another. The conflicts are still waging in the world. The economy is still bad. So where is the change?
The real change is us… “We the People.” We bring about the changes through our active participation in the electoral process. We must hold our elected officials accountable and responsible to bring about true changes like ethics reforms and efforts to stop voter fraud and tax-and-spend politicians who have no regard for the long-term consequences of their actions.
The labels we use are dangerous
Labels are used to warn us of dangers… medicines, poisons, etc.
Today, the labels used are dangerous, too.
God created us to be freethinking and with the ability to reason. However, today we live in a society with very few free-thinking men and women. Instead, many are satisfied with the status quo and are oblivious to what changes are being made that are destroying the moral fiber of this nation. More and more of our civil liberties and rights are being taken from us. Why? Because we just don’t care and are OK in our little comfort zones.
The greatest threat to this country is apathy. This is the true label of who we are as a nation. We have no will to stand up and fight for what is right. We want to depend on others to defend our rights. This is very sad and discouraging.
So, let me conclude in saying that if you want to label yourself and are satisfied with mediocrity, just continue to be apathetic and eventually you will be left without anything. As for me, I will continue to be a proud American and will continue to defend my rights as an American.
Camuñez lives in Las Cruces.