What is a Liberal?

[sweet-a-kins]

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." [September 14, 1960]

 

 John Fitzgeral Kennedy

 

 

[DorthyParker]

Aug. 30, 2009 at 8:44 AM Great quote (I voted it popular ;) )...and I just read your comments in the Libertarian Mom's group of which I am also a member, defending Sen. Kennedy's stance on the UHC reform bill and for once in a long time, felt like I wasn't the ONLY liberal minded person in that group...there are some very smart ladies over there, I've learned a lot about politics in general and actually learned a thing or two about myself and where I stand on issues...having said that, I've been in the group long enough to recognize (I think, lol) those who are still right-wing-Republicans just fed up w/ the G.O.P and their want for smaller gov't(which I share) has drawn them to the group, and of course we've got our fair share of conspiracy theorists, and sometimes I wonder plain out anarchists; back to my original point, I DID have one, I promise! I enjoyed this JP and your arguments for UHC. Really refreshing to find another liberal-minded libertarian (notice I use a lowercase "L"; a way we differentiate between those that share the Libertarian philosophy as opposed to those who are actual members of the Lib. Party.

[sweet-a-kins]

Aug. 30, 2009 at 12:30 PM

DorthyParker

I pretty much feel the same! lol. The right has taken over being the conspiracy theorists! and yes, alot of disillusioned pubs that are turning to Lib. party seem to be in that group.

I am a democrat, but I am smart enought to know they don't have all the right answers, no party does. It would be great if more understood a combination of ideas is best....Most are very staunch in their beliefs and defend til th eend, even when it doesn't match up with their real life practices...

(Original Poster)