Ode To The Liberals (By A Liberal)

The National Journal, a conservative publication, has named Barack Obama as the most liberal senator. Funny thing, back in 2004, when it became obvious that he would be the Democratic nominee, John Kerry was named by this same publication as the most liberal senator. Do they think “liberal” is a dirty word? Do they have any idea of what a liberal is?

I am an unabashed liberal and proud of it. I can not say it better than JFK did in a speech on Sept. 14, 1960 accepting the Liberal Party’s nomination for president,

“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 the record of this party and its members demonstrate that 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."

Come on guys! Be honest with yourselves. Look at the issues individually. When surveyed, the overwhelming majority in this country take the liberal side of most issues. Most of you “anti-liberals” are really liberals but don’t realize it yet. But you are learning.

Martin Freed
Quinby, Va.

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