Comments on: Sticks and stones, Ann Coulter… http://www.wethepeoplepolitics.com/sticks-and-stones-ann-coulter/ Political Opinions Of, By, and For The People Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:15:17 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Sean J. Palmer http://www.wethepeoplepolitics.com/sticks-and-stones-ann-coulter/comment-page-1/#comment-88 Sean J. Palmer Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:35:43 +0000 http://www.wethepeoplepolitics.com/?p=27#comment-88 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. Thanks for checking out the site. We appreciate your support and your opinions. 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.

Thanks for checking out the site. We appreciate your support and your opinions.

]]> By: Trevor http://www.wethepeoplepolitics.com/sticks-and-stones-ann-coulter/comment-page-1/#comment-87 Trevor Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:12:35 +0000 http://www.wethepeoplepolitics.com/?p=27#comment-87 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. 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.

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