Recent polls indicate that only twenty percent of voters describe themselves as "Liberal." I'm one of them, proud to be a Liberal.
In the run up to the midterm elections, many Democratic candidates avoid the liberal label. Some even deny the accomplishments of the 111th Congress. On Face the Nation CBS Correspondent Nancy Cordes noted, "Not only are [Democratic congressional candidates] running away from President Obama, they're running away from being Democrats." Shame on them! I'm proud of what President Obama and the Democratically-controlled Congress have done.
The Democrats' problem is not that they are too liberal, but rather that they are not liberal enough.
Robert Reich observed that embedded in the fabric of the American ethos are two hopeful stories: Liberal myths.
The Triumphant Individual "is the familiar tale of the little guy who works hard, takes risks, believes in himself, and eventually gains wealth, fame, and honor." This is the story of Abraham Lincoln and, more recently, Barack Obama. It's one of the cornerstones of American liberalism.
This narrative presumes a level playing field where every man or woman who wants to get ahead, provide a better life for themselves and their family, can do it. Liberals believe in the importance of individual responsibility, it's up to each person to take the steps necessary to move forward. Nonetheless, Liberals also support equal opportunity: an individual shouldn't be held back because of their gender, race, ethnicity, or what side of the tracks that were born on. Liberals believe that all children need to be brought up in safe households with enough food to eat and access to quality schools and medical services. We believe that government must set limits, proclaim that all Americans have inalienable rights that must be guaranteed.
Liberals believe in government as a force for good. It is the US government rather than the corporation or the church that guarantees our human rights. It is the government that levels the playing field. And it is the government that protects us against the excesses of capitalism, against those who engage in fraudulent business practices, charge excessive interest, abuse their employees, or pollute the environment. Liberals believe that the government must provide a social safety net to protect Americans' human rights.
The Benevolent Community is the second cornerstone of American liberalism. "The story of neighbors and friends who roll up their sleeves and pitch in for the common good." One of the early mottos of the United States was E Pluribus Unum, "out of many, one." Liberals believe in citizens working together to better our communities: to ensure quality schools, safe streets, comprehensive transportation and energy systems, and clean water and air.
While Liberals emphasize individual responsibility, we also promote collective action. We're in favor of unions and cooperatives. We don't believe that wealth and power should influence democratic process and we don't accept that corporations have the same rights as do individuals. We believe that a healthy public enterprise is a vital and essential part of our democracy.
The United States is struggling through the worst recession eighty years. In January of 2009, the Obama Administration intervened with a stimulus package. It was the right thing to do and kept the US from sliding into a terrible depression. Unfortunately it wasn't sufficient; the US is stuck in a flat recovery with high unemployment. Liberals contend the US needs an additional stimulus package to create jobs.
Liberals believe that all Americans have the right to a decent job paying a living wage. When the market fails, Liberals expect the government to intervene.
Meanwhile, the environment continues to deteriorate and 2010 is on track to be the hottest year ever recorded. Every day we hear news of global climate events ranging from floods to massive forest fires. Liberals believe that to protect the common good, to preserve the precious resources of the United States, we must drastically reduce our carbon consumption and take steps to remedy the environmental damage already inflicted on our communities.
On June 26, 2009, the House approved the American Clean Energy and Security Act but the GOP blocked similar legislation in the Senate. Liberals want a strengthened version of this bill passed in the 112th Congress. We believe that our children and grandchildren should live in a healthy environment.
Liberals believe in comprehensive campaign finance reform, reducing the influence of moneyed interests and lobbyists. In June the House passed campaign finance reform legislation that alleviated the impact of the Citizens United vs. FEC Supreme Court ruling; Senate Republicans blocked this legislation. Liberals want a strengthened version of this bill passed in the 112th Congress. We believe that in a Democracy each vote should carry the same weight.
These are only a few of the reasons I'm proud to be a Liberal, to stand up for values, visions, and legislation that strengthen the American dream.
I invite you all to join me: get up out of your chairs, open the window, stick your head out, and yell, "I'm proud to be a Liberal and I'm not going to take this anymore!"
Bob Cesca: Despite America's Temper Tantrum, It's Still a Center-Left Nation
Working through a Democratic Party that has become addicted to war, corporatism, extreme inequality & mass incarceration, and has since the days of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt co-increased (along with rightist Republicans) every metric of social injustice, is to be complicit with the (undeniable) neo-fascist trajectory of American society and government.
To pretend that alternations between neo-conservatives and neo-liberal pols really matter is a proven folly by now (given the negative trends in all the indicies of civilization and decency persons of goodwill care about). Because neoliberal Dems generally agree with (and certainly don't despise) cowboy capitalism and conservative values, they never discredit the rightist creed by attacking it at the root as opposed to (tepidly) at the branch. Hence, as now, neoliberals' success leads to neoconservative revivals. To paraphrase Al Gore, it's time for them (mainstream Dems) to go!
Liberal Democrats urgently need our own party. Currently we are serving as a bulwark against the very change we profess to support. Either you are a neoliberal, or a LibDem. To the latter: don't you ever get tired of being used, disrespected and governed by amoral ciphers, ie. your hawkish, opportunistic, inept, soulless mainstream neoliberal Dem inferiors?
Eric C. Jacobson
Public Interest Lawyer
Culver City, California
http://www.libdems.us
Dictatorships (like Singapore) can do great good by 99% of the time, they succumb to the evils of power and self-interest. Our government, its bureaucrats and "elected" officials are no different.
The original intent was to never have more than 60K in a congressional block. Today its greater than 700K people per congressman. If you want representative government rather, bring back elected officials that represent the people rather than their interest and maybe, just maybe liberalism would work
I'm with Phil Ochs: "Love me I'm a liberal." That wasn't a compliment, folks. Liberal feebleness has allowed a handful of reactionary billionaires to threaten our democracy. Liberals don't call out the Republican disaster that lies ahead. Liberals have stayed with bi-partisanship 18 months too long. Yes, progressives blew it when they voted for Nader. Criticism taken. In the long run the liberals need an infusion of resoluteness. They need to step out and articulate the issues in ways even the Republicans can understand. No more triangulation. No more Mr. Nice Guy. Get fired up or see this country go down to the plutocracy.
Among my many puzzlements with the current administration is its diffidence. Bush lost the pop vote and was "selected," yet he acted like he had a landslide, starting with hijacking the Clinton budget surplus for his base. Here again I disdain the feckless liberals, who whimped out in the face of blatant lies and manipulation. Fear of Republican rhetoric is a pathological trait among the breed.
I'm going to vote and not feel like vomiting this election. And that's a cheering prospect indeed.
I have travelled extensively in Canada and France. In these more socialist countries, the people seem happier because they are more economically equal and secure. Do we in the United States insist on a Right to live in Poverty?
There are things the government does badly, and things it does well. I'm not enthused by Federal Government involvment in education. I think it is simply awful that tax dollars go to professional sports complexes. However, government involvement to ensure the minimum egalitarian standard that all Americans are adequately fed, clothed and housed would sem to be above reproach. Are we so poor that we can't afford the basics for everyone when the GDP is between $40,000 and $50,000 for every man, woman and child. The real problem is that our rich folks are so consumed by RAVENOUS GREED that they can no longer even perceive the rest of us having a right to even breathe.
It's long past the time we need to put conservative ideology up on that same outlaw shelf along with communism, and disallow anything about it to ever enter into our political judgement ever again.
hahahahahahahahaha aha ha aha hahaha aa hahaha ha ...soda coming hahahaha out my nose..hahahahah....are you for real? You really think??? Go ask blue dogs in moderate districts where they would be?
Last I heard she was down 38 points.
That Blue Dog strategy is some strategy.
Heading into the 2006 mid-terms, the Democrats were saying give us the House and to a lesser degree the Senate and they would stop the Bush agenda.
The country rallied to their cry where the Republicans had losses across the board and the Democrats didn't lose a single seat. We gave them the House AND Senate, and what did they do?
Caved into Bush's demands time after and time and gave excuse and excuse.
They then said, "we can't do anything without the White House."
2008 came and they were given stronger majorities in House and Senate AND the White House.
With 59 to 60 votes in the Senate, after they said they needed a filibuster proof majority, they caved yet again to the Republicans.
What excuse do you have now Democrats?
You need a majority in the Senate of 80 votes?
You need a majority in the House of 300 votes?
You need the White House to keep it from the Republicans?
What excuse do you have now?
No more excuses.
It's judgment day!