Shouldn't we be pulling together?

[Tennessee Gal]

What do our opponents mean when they apply to us the label "Liberal?" If by "Liberal" they mean, as they want people to believe, someone who is soft in his policies abroad, who is against local government, and who is unconcerned with the taxpayer's dollar, then the record of this party and its members demonstrate that we are not that kind of "Liberal." But if by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people -- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties -- someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal."

John Fitzgerald Kennedy

[Tweed]

1. There are 270 days until the election

There will be time.

[Tennessee Gal]

2. So attacking Democratic policies of the past is okay with you?

[miceelf]

5. Well....

Only the bad ones.

[NMMNG]

6. Oh, snap

Funny how so many of them want to toss the Boomers in the trash but use them and what they gave us at every opportunity.

[Tennessee Gal]

8. In your opinion, what did boomers give us?

[sfam]

3. We CERTAINLY should be stopping the nastiness...

As an Obama supporter, I truly don't get it. At all.

Yes, real anger over real topics like the IWR vote make sense. But the insane shit that counts as outrage on DU is really just that...insane.

Come June, I hope we'll all look back at this and realize what jackasses we've all been.

[Tennessee Gal]

4. Thank you for that reasonable response.

[Tennessee Gal]

7. Let's talk about liberalism.

Those who believe that Liberalism is an anachronism for evil are uneducated in the fundamentals of the American political system. Our nation was founded on Liberalism, embodied in the Declaration of Independence with the words "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." Liberalism is rooted in liberty, which is to defend the very freedom of all people who make up our great nation.


The very definition reflects the positive aspects of Liberal thought. Liberal means to be favorable to progress and reform, in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom, open-minded or tolerant, and characterized by generosity and willingness to give in large amounts. Liberals want to change things to increase personal freedom and tolerance, and are willing to empower government to the extent necessary to achieve those ends. All of these definitions represent honorable goals.


So, if Liberalism as proven by definition and historical perspective is a commendable pursuit, why does it have such negative connotations in today's political atmosphere? Perhaps the answer lies in the ability of the Republican Right to more effectively get their message across with help from corporate America, which has systematically purchased the debate. Conservatives also possess an inherent willingness to win no matter what it takes, which is evidenced by the blatant inaccuracies they use in denouncing Liberalism.


Liberals must stop allowing the Right to define what Liberalism stands for. To rebut the Conservative monopolization of the political debate and their negative labeling of Liberal ideals, Liberals must strive for a resurgent movement of strong voices and consistent messages. This is the calling of our times.