How did it happen and what we should do

[whosinpower]

That the name liberal became such a bad thing? Lurking around on yahoo, and some other boards (not here of course!) the invective, the tone against liberal democrats is...well I am usre you all know what I mean.

I was thinking about that last night - and I think we should embrace the term liberal - throw it right back in their faces and remind them what liberalism has given to America. You know....little things like the constitution, independence from England, ending slavery, equal rights, voting rights for everyone, free speech, universal education, standard workplace regulations and minimum wages, social security...just a few little things that the people who are so outspoken against liberals need to be reminded of. And we NEED to fight back.

[seabeyond]

1. agree whosinpower

i use the word often for myself now a days. at first was kinda hard saying the word, now i just say it all the time, in the word alone challenging anyone to make me less. amazing how throughout a day, i can bring this word up all ovewr the place

had a talk with rush type brother. and him going on about liberals, the extreme of the left. i say i am liberal. he is shock, you called yourself that i didnt. so what i say. you made it bad, doesnt mean it is. told him repug=conservative, democrat=liberal. and he sat in silence. no more i told brother, silence

he was seeing liberal as all evil, not an equal to using the word conservative. yes the right has created in it such evil, time to take the word back. now to get some politicians to say it out loud

[bryant69]

2. Totally agree

It's one of those slurs that if it is every challanged it falls apart; but so often it isn't challanged. This mythology is built up that says that we liberals are afraid or ashamed to be called Liberal. To the point that everytime any liberal anywhere uses the word progressive to describe himself, Rush LImbaugh and others of his ilk play the clip and suggest that we are using other labels because of our fear of the label liberal.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[2Design]

3. funny you should bring up the word liberal....

had a conversation with someone who will be teaching ethics.. I asked about the course and what was in it.....

it is about lots of controversial issues, like abortion...I said it must be a tough class to mediate...

asked if there was a text
yes
but she and others don't like the text but it is a starting point

the author is very liberal
but this does give them a chance to understand how a LIBERAL thinks...

Me thinks this person is not a liberal and she is teaching ethics?????

The RW is every where and influencing so many thoughts. This is the second teacher in a week I have run into that is RWish.

[TreasonousBastard]

4. 40 years ago...

"Conservative" was the epithet.

Conservatives were on the run, and defensive about everything they believed in-- even when they were right, which wasn't very often, but it did happen.

One of Goldwater's slogans was "In your heart, you know he's right." We had a lot of fun adding "Yes, FAR right!" to the posters and billboards. The pendulum has swung over the years, and people eventually rejected the left-wing excesses. I have no doubt that the pendulum is swinging again, and the excesses of the right will be rejected.

But the left will probably never have the acceptance of the right, unfortunately.

One fundamental problem is that the left talks of the poor, of the environment, of rights, and of things that people are not necessarily willing to sacrifice for. The right talks of how you too can be one of us and have everything you want your way.

The left speaks of the rights of others, and the the right speaks of YOUR rights. It's a tough mountain to climb.

[Kanary]

5. "It's a tough mountain to climb"

You're so right. But, look at how many other countries have done just that.

I think that's one of the answers. We need to look at other countries, and figure out how they have managed to do it. How are we different from them? How do they educate their young cititzens, so that they grow up with a different view of the world?

There's something of value there for us.

Kanary

[BillZBubb]

6. The left speaks of the rights of others, and the the right speaks of YOUR

I think your point is right on the money. We have a difficult problem in that we stand on the principle that the rights of minorities are crucial to the rights of everyone. Plus, helping the less fortunate, in the end, ends up helping everyone. Understanding that requires some abstract thinking ability and effort.

The right goes the more direct route: what's good for you will be good for everyone else. That doesn't require any thought only natural self-interest.

One of the most difficult things is to get people to do is think, particularly in the abstract. So, it is indeed a tough mountain to climb.

[Robroy]

7. "Liberal" is not a bad word

http://www.citypaper.com/columns/story.asp?id=8647

The above link provides a good story on what it means to be a liberal.

snip>

But what is a liberal? A liberal is someone who believes that there is a place for government, and the Constitution clearly outlines it. A liberal is someone who knows that unchecked private power leads to inequality, corruption, graft, and hatred.

end>

I know many republicans who believe that the federal government should be limited to only two (2) endeavors:

1) To provide national security/defense.

2) To promote/facilitate international trade.

That's it. Unbelievable!!