Sticks and stones, Ann Coulter…
Maybe I missed the memo, but when I was thinking back on George Carlin’s “Seven Dirty Words,” I must have skimmed over where America added the latest: “liberal”
This, of course is nothing new. In the past years, however, pundits and politicians have ranted and raved while using the word “liberal” to represent all things namby-pamby and sissified… that, or as a replacement for the word “communist,” which is presumably just a dated term in the eyes of the conservatives (or fascists, as liberals call them). My question: Why is “liberal” a dirty word?
This issue came up this morning as I read a CNN report from John Roberts, who gave his remarks concerning his interview with former Massachusetts Gov. Willard “Mitt” Romney (yes, his first name is Willard). In the interview, Romney bashed Obama, saying that he has “never been a part of a bipartisan group that came together to solve a controversial issue”. When Roberts reminded Romney about bipartisan efforts for non-proliferation increasing fuel-mileage standards, Romney remarked, “”Actually, on both cases, you’re talking about two liberal positions, non-proliferation as well as the gasoline mileage.”
Now, I could write for days about how apparently preventing the creation of weapons of mass destruction and lowering the demand for high-priced fuel by increasing fuel-mileage standards are apparently not on the conservative political agenda…or how Romney could be the best thing to happen to democrats since Dan Quayle forgot how to spell “potato.” However, the comments under the article are what surprised me.
A bunch of comments related to how Romney just wanted to throw the word “liberal” around in an effort to damage Obama’s reputation and credibility. This is certainly a problem for Obama, since he…wait for it… IS a liberal (GASP!). And this came from a “liberal media source!” Oh, the humanity!
In this day and age of Ann Coulter, rich old white guys and party lines that are more like party trenches, perhaps it’s about time we re-evaluate the republican rhetoric, and learn to like the “liberal” label. Alliteration aside, if the likes of O’Reilly, Hannity, and Limbaugh want to use the term “liberal” as a epithet, then I, for one, will take that as a compliment.
What is so wrong with being a liberal? Some of the greatest men in history have been liberals. Liberal philosophers like Locke, Rousseau, Smith and Montesquieu were the basis of political thought that led to the creation of this country and this government. Liberal men like Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Patrick Henry, John Hancock and Samuel Adams set the groundwork for our great nation. Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Martin Luther King, Jr. - all liberal men who helped secure the prosperity of other liberal men’s “Great Experiment.” From the looks of things, if you call yourself a “liberal,” you are in pretty good company.
So, fellow “communist heathen” and “namby-pamby elitists,” you leftists and liberals, embrace the foundations of liberalism along with the label, and help put progression at the top of our country’s political agenda.
The thing is, liberalism has changed dramatically since the time of the French thinkers of the Enlightenment. Although I certainly don’t agree with Ann Coulter’s stereotypical and biased views of those that oppose her, I sincerely believe that the modern leftist movement is just as damaging to America as the neo-conservative movement is. Both want to take away our freedom for their personal agendas and plans, whether it’s stricter gun laws or illegal wiretapping, its all the same.
And, I would shudder to think that Thomas Jefferson could ever be called “liberal”, because the liberal agenda was not on his mind when he said that the government could be overthrown by the people through armed militia (”The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”)… when all liberals seem to think about is how better to castrate the 2nd Amendment.
You are very right Trevor, in that liberalism HAS changed dramatically. The biggest change here in America was actually around the time of post-Reconstruction, and again with the Kennedy era. I agree with you that modern liberalism certainly has its flaws, but I would not say it is as damaging as you make it out to be.
The problem with modern liberalism is that liberals have become what neo-cons have called them: namby-pamby, soft elitists. The modern liberal movement, which can be traced back to William Jennings Brian, to a second wave with Kennedy, was actually very pro-trade, with a tough foreign policy ideal.
I wouldn’t agree with your “shuddering” regarding Jefferson being called a liberal. Remember that Jefferson was also a staunch supporter of the separation between Church and State, disliked the power that corporations had, and a strong supporter of education. Your quote is a strong reference to the ideals of classical liberalism (something I feel I am the only remaining supporter of), which today is almost like a bastardized version of modern libertarianism.
However, if your only view of liberals is the wide-spread misconception that all liberals hate guns, I feel you may find yourself mistaken (I’m a proud liberal, and a very proud supporter of the NRA). The two-party system unfortunately does not leave much room for difference of opinion to spread its wings; something I think our friend Jefferson, as well as many of our founding fathers, would take offense to.
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