General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Is "liberal washing" at the heart of discord in the Dem party? [View all]TreasonousBastard
(43,049 posts)Aside from some basic values and principles, the very idea that we have to adhere to some list would seem to be the antithesis of liberalism and free thought.
Most of us here agree with most of the "liberal agenda" as it seems to be proposed, but hardly anyone agrees with it entirely. Guns is a prime example and I don't know if the hard left has even proposed a "liberal" stance. Most women here, afik, want abortion to be freely available, but some do have hard time with the concept. If a woman's own feelings and decisions about her own body conflict with the general consensus, do we throw her out for daring to say she would never have an abortion?
If you were a governor of a state with high unemployment and a pipeline was proposed, guaranteeing 50,000 jobs for two years and another 5,000 permanent ones, do you get thrown under the bus by literal liberals for agreeing to it? Even if firm environmental safeguards are part of the package?
My point is simply that the real world is not an anonymous discussion group with little influence. Out there are myriads of opinions, vast wants and needs, problems that need solving, and simply pointing to a wishlist of the perfect world won't get us very far. Having such a list is good for balance and to remind us who we are, but blind adherence just doesn't work.