The true meaning of liberal and liberalism...should we abandon the term?

[Clarkie1]

I am a liberal. We live in a liberal democracy.

That's what we created in this country. That's in our Constitution. ... I think we should be very clear on this.  You know, this country was founded on the principals of the Enlightenment. It was the idea that people could talk, reason, have dialogue, discuss the issues. It wasn't founded on the idea that someone would get stuck by a divine inspiration and know everything right from wrong. I mean, people who founded this country had religion, they had strong beliefs, but they believed in reason, in dialogue, in civil discourse. We can't lose that in this country. We've got to get it back.
Wes Clark - September 5, 2003
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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 ... 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 F. Kennedy, September 14, 1960

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Some have suggested the right-wing corporate aristocracy (I dislike the term "conservative," because there are many things I wish to conserve) has so defined the terms "liberal" and "liberalism" we should abandon them for the term "progressive." I lean more toward reclaiming our heritage and the true, democratic meaning of these words by more effectively getting our message out, but I understand arguements for dropping the term for a word like "progressives." Those of us fighting against the takeover of our democracy must have a common terminology to get our message out effectively. What term do you like best?

[Rockerdem]

1. Liberal through and through

Liberal before. Liberal now. Liberal hereafter. Openly, aggressively proud of it, and dont need to hide behind "progressive."

So there.

[Zenlitened]

2. We should print out JFK's quote on a leaflet and post it everywhere

"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 F. Kennedy, September 14, 1960

[DeepModem Mom]

4. We could also do TV commercials, like those "I'm an American"...

spots that showed a diverse group of people saying those words. I'd like to see a group of people of all sorts, saying proudly to the camera, "I am a liberal," maybe adding "and so was Franklin Roosevelt," or "and so was Harry Truman," or "and so was John F. Kennedy," etc.

[Zenlitened]

8. Neat idea!

:hi:

[sandnsea]

3. Liberal Republicans

I'm telling you, that is how we reclaim liberal. Whenever they promote liberal issues, like pro-choice, environment, gay rights, we call them liberal republicans. Force them out from behind their moderate facade. Stop using the word moderate altogether. Greens, Democrats, liberal Republicans and fundamentalists. That's it, that's all. And for those who don't know whether they're Green or Democrat, make a friggin' decision. When the Presidential election rolls around, be a Green Democrat. How hard is that?

[VioletLake]

12. I like your idea. :) n/t

[ExclamationPoint]

5. I am empathetic therefore I am Liberal

I am open minded, therefore I am Liberal.
I am progressive, therefore I am Liberal.
I am willing for positive change, therefore I am Liberal.
I think, thereforoe I am liberal.

If conservatives say that liberal is an insult, then they do not know what liberal means. It is enough that we know that being liberal is a hight compliment and we should be proud to call ourselves that. I would think it worse to call yourself a close minded, traditionalist, and full of antipathy conservative.

[MikeDuffy]

6. Any term for liberal including "progressive" will be disparaged

so why change if you are not really trying to make a distinction with another term? Make a stand and fight on principles, and work on widely accessible alternative media to get your message out.

[Rockerdem]

11. Exactly

Remember to say thank you after being referred to as a liberal. Go on offense.

[inslee08]

7. If we want to win national elections...

we almost certainly will need to make at least some sacrifices. And, IMO, changing our belief's *name* to "progressivism" sure beats moving to the right ideologically. Personally, I use "liberal" and "progressive" interchangibly, so I don't get why we are reluctant to call ourselves progressives.

[complain jane]

9. Funny how the RW has tried so hard to paint the term Liberal as negative

while we're supposed to be proud of the "LIBERATION" going on in Iraq.

"...liberal activists..."

"...the liberal agenda..."

"...John Kerry and the Liberals..."

"...a liberal from Massachusetts..."

"...liberal activist judges..."

Hey! WE'RE LIBERATING IRAQ! We're not occupiers, we're LIBERATORS!

:wtf:

[complain jane]

10. Which brings me to another point. Now, if you type "liberate" into

dictionary.com, this is what you get:

lib·er·ate
tr.v. lib·er·at·ed, lib·er·at·ing, lib·er·ates

1. To set free, as from oppression, confinement, or foreign control.
2. Chemistry. To release (a gas, for example) from combination.
3. Slang. To obtain by illegal or stealthy action: tried to sell appliances that were liberated during the riot.

However, personally, getting back to the subject here, I think we should keep "Liberal".

[Osamasux]

13. I have my ideals and don't really care what you call them.

I hate trying to pigeonhole music, too.

As for the term "liberal", the damage is already done. It's tainted goods. Why should waste effort trying to revive it? I like the term "progressive". It implies forward thinking and open to new ideas. That is how I feel. If ten years from now I feel another word describes that well, I may use it. My ideals will not have changed, and that is all that matters.

[Indiana-Bluejay]

16. It's time to care and to fight back...

I used to feel exactly the same as you. I didn't care what about labels. I didn't want anyone to hang one on me. I was my own man and I had my own ideas. I felt that by putting a label on me that those ideas, my ideas were somehow being short changed. That I was being put in with everyone else and that wasn't right. My voice should be heard above all those others.

I know better now. Somehow at some point we seen to have forgotten that we have to act with one voice for people to take us serious and for us to be effective in fighting back against what is happening in this country.

The term liberal gives us a connection to where we came from. We have some very great people who we can tie ourselves and our way of thinking to. The conservatives in this nation need to be reminded that it was not religion that this nation was founded on. But rather it was founded on liberal ideas about people being free and having a voice in the way their country runs.

The next time a conservative looks at you and calls you a liberal, which of course in their eyes is just another four letter word. Smile at them, simply thank them for reminding you that you are in good company. That you do like the idea that you are tied to the original liberals. Of course this will bring a confused look to the face of your unwitting conservative opponent. "Original Liberals?" it may say. You of course can now move in for the kill and explain to this conservative nitwit that the founding fathers were liberals. You can further explain this by simply asking the question, "Do you think that a free nation where the people choose there leaders was a conservative notion 200+ years ago?". Of course you can hit them below the belt and let them know conservatives existed at that time as well, of course back then they were called Tories.

I do not believe we need to redefine ourselves with a new term. I think we simply need to meet the conservatives toe to toe on this one and take back the word liberal. We need to strengthen what it means and we need to make clear who we are and why being a liberal is more American than any other frame of mind.

[Nitrogenica]

14. The day will come when the term "conservative" will carry

much more negative baggage than liberal ever did! It's happening already here in Minnesota, thanks to Norm. It makes me very grateful to live here in realityland.

[Ken Burch]

15. A Better Question would be

"Should we continue to let attacks on liberalism go unchallenged, like Clinton did"?