One of the things that fascinates me, particularly in some of the comments to posts, is how many of you seem to see "liberal" as a dirty word.
I can't say I blame you. For the last 30 years, the right has been hammering away at the word, doing its best to equate "liberal" with "libertine" in people's minds, and completely ignoring the fact that there are shades of difference in those left of center on the spectrum.
One of the tactics talk radio hosts like Fat Man and Little Boy have used for years is basically saying that liberal, socialist and communist are all pretty much the same. There really aren't that many people except on the lunatic fringe who try to equate conservative with fascist and Nazi.
What have liberals done for America?
Well, even though they were Republicans at the time, they fought to end slavery. They fought for women to have the right to vote, and for a whole myriad of workplace rights from child labor to minimum wage to workplace safety.
They busted trusts and created the inheritance tax that at least limited the creation of a permanent American oligarchy. They created Social Security and Medicare, and they led the fight for civil rights and against the war in Vietnam.
They stood for food and drug safety and for consumer protection, and they battled for women's rights in the workplace and in reproductive freedom.
If you look at each of those issues, in almost every one of them, conservatives were opposed. They don't believe in the minimum wage and they have hated Social Security and Medicare ever since they were created. Look at one of their current leaders, Sarah Palin, who wrote in the last 48 hours that Medicare should be changed to a system of vouchers for people to buy their own health care.
I have never been ashamed to consider myself a liberal, although I think in some areas I would go beyond where liberals go and consider myself a European-style Social Democrat.
Here's what that means, according to the definition by the Socialist International, which supports social democratic and moderate socialist parties:
Social Democracy affirms three basic principles.
First, freedom — not only individual liberties, but also freedom from discrimination and freedom from dependence on either the owners of the means of production or the holders of abusive political power.
Second, equality and social justice — not only before the law but also economic and socio-cultural equality as well, and equal opportunities for all including those with physical, mental, or social disabilities.
Third, solidarity — unity and a sense of compassion for the victims of injustice and inequality.
That mostly adds up to two things -- we're all in this together and we are our brother's keeper.
I don't disagree with any of it.
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1 comment:
I think your "liberal" friend Cooter (or is it Mick) has definitely indoctrinated you to the point where you are no even aware of what you parroting.
Social Democrats have virtually ruined Europe, and now you want to import that nonsense here?
Come on.
I wouldn't find myself so much in disagreement if you didn't have your head in the sand when it comes to understanding people. Not individuals necessarily, but people in general.
They can be a rather lazy bunch.
Look no further than our current political landscape with its unending seas of PACs and single issue miscreants.
They all feel ENTITLED to money and benefits; often without ever having contributed or helped to expand the public largess.
From corporations to welfare-enriched illegal aliens, our society is afloat with slackers who take and take and take and offer nothing in return.
The "me first" generation of thinking.
Mike, you and your "buddies" Mick and Cooter might do well to hold everyone's feet to the fire before announcing that they're entitled to anything.
My daddy used to work with Lyndon Johnson when he was just a congressman, albeit the most powerful man in the House.
While he had famously liberal programs enacted, he also demanded that people get off their collective butts and WORK.
He himself was a tough old bird who was as flawed as anyone who has ever served in government (both politically and morally), but he believed passionately in individual responsibility and what has often been referred to as the "Protestant" work ethic.
It's really too bad your LIBERAL clan has forgotten that very important aspect of social democracy, individual responsibility and duty to serve others.
Sorry.
I can't get onboard your train of thought until there's more accountability and less personal indulgence.
Jim
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