re: #507 Kewalo

I was having a little trouble and so I dropped by to see what was going on. I had no intention of posting anything, but I just can’t be quiet about this.

I have been a liberal for over 40 years. And while you might not think so, it took a certain amount of courage to speak up and call oneself that just a few years ago. We were called every name in the book for years and while many liberals changed what they called themselves, many of us didn’t, and I continued to stand up and said proudly…I am a Liberal. You may not get it, but for those of us who have remained liberal it’s important to us… to me. This isn’t just a whim. Liberals have done good work for years while the right has vilified them. And I remain a good, JFK Liberal.

John F. Kennedy
35th President
A Liberal Definition by John F. Kennedy:
[Link: www.liberalparty.org…]

Naturally, I got here so late I’ve probably missed getting this to you, but I feel better after posting it.

the reason i like ‘progressive’ rather than ‘liberal’ is that there never has been a significant liberal party in the united states, and generally the definition of what ‘liberal’ policies would be were rather vague to most americans until ronald reagan spend years taking a big dump on the term and giving it a bad name

on the other hand, progressivism is a definite movement in american history with clearly defined policies. teddy roosevelt ran for president as the head of the progressive party in 1912. this means it’s harder for the conservative lie machine to smear progressivism, not that they haven’t tried