Why can this word sometimes now hold a negative connotation when referring to certain people?
My electronic dictionary states: Liberal: "not stingy, narrow or conservative. Adjective: marked by generosity and openhandedness."
One of our great presidents, John F. Kennedy, said: "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, 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 am proud to be a liberal." (Google "JFK quote" for entire quote.)
The group "opposite" from the "Liberals", referred to as "Conservatives," according to the dictionary, are "maintaining the status quo, cautious, tending to resist or oppose change."
I learned long ago, the only thing permanent in life is change. If we are to improve our lives, we have to accept change, we have to go out on a limb - the fruit of the tree is not on the trunk.
Marrion Steele Bullhead City
Reader Comments
Posted: Thursday, March 25, 2010
Article comment by:
Liberal Lion
It's been a fun year, cramming this stuff down the conservative's throats. And actually, Sgt. Nice, you are wrong- the polls actually show a MAJORITY of people support health care reform.
We won one for Teddy! HA HA HA HA HA HA HAHA. Its a great day. Next up- gun control and impeachment of Scalia, Thomas and Alito.
Posted: Thursday, March 25, 2010
Article comment by:
Diogenes' Lantern
@ Capt Nice
Aye, Captain. I don't have much myself but I'm willing to share. If you're in that bad a shape, meet me at the Dam Bar and I'll spot you to a meal and give you a few bucks for spending cash. I can also help by giving you the names and phone numbers of a number of agencies that help the downtrodden.
BTW, our President is not a thug. He may not do things the way you would like him to, but that doesn't make him a thug. He's a highly intelligent and compassionate man. We should all strive to be that good.
As for your "Sharing the wealth" opinion, let me ask: do you have insurance on your car, your house, your life, your health, your ability to work? If you have any of these forms of insurance protection, you are a practitioner of spreading the cost over a large number of people to protect as many as possible. How is this any different from the liberalism you decry so loudly?
Posted: Monday, March 22, 2010
Article comment by:
Capt Nice
Hey Mr. Lantern I'm kinda low on cash so how about giving me half of what you have? It is only fair you being a proud liberal. I would have probably done all right if I had gone to work but just didn't feel like it and your being so bright and generous how about sharing what you have or is that just meant for the other guy. Your letter almost had me in tears because it was so beautiful. You must be tingly all over with all of the inovations this thug from chicago is doing regardless of how the majority of people feel. May the force be with you!
Posted: Thursday, March 18, 2010
Article comment by:
V Stokes
@Diogenes May want to do a little checking up on Oneida. Though your statements are factually correct..it gives the impression that the company was something more than just that...a manufacturing company. (Actually...an ex-manufacturing company now) Oneida Community hasn't even been the company name since the 30's. And now they are nothing but an importer from overseas (China, Vietnam, etc).
It actually only existed as a Utopian experiment for a little over 35 years or so.
Posted: Thursday, March 18, 2010
Article comment by:
We the People{me} Thinking
So much fear of having to face the abyss rathere then give grace to eachother ,we pray to the dollar to save us from those we gave power to govern,to get past this requires an understanding of living together,with all that goes with it.all I wish to say is stop the greed.
@D.L - With your head in the clouds, you trip over the reality that those who get a free ride on the backs of others never walk on their own two feet.
Posted: Thursday, March 18, 2010
Article comment by:
Frank Lee Speaking
@Guess Again
Good catch on the original quote. It caused me to look as well. I would bet she lifted it from the first reference I found using google, which was on a thread someone posted at Democratic Underground. A secondhand source is never the best, especially if the source is at DU. It is one of my favorite sites for entertainment reading, by the way. A gathering place for the most far left radical liberals around. It is a laugh riot much of the time. They are not called "DUmmies" for nothing.
Do you think she also supports big tax cuts, as Kennedy did?
Any comparison between a liberal of Kennedys day and the 2010 version would likely have him spinning in his grave like a Dervish.
Posted: Thursday, March 18, 2010
Article comment by:
Frank Lee Speaking
@wow i just got it!
LoL. Not my real name of course, just my nom de plume. My real name is nowhere near as witty. I will say that my middle name is Francis. And as I often told my mother in later years, "Considering the rough area we lived in, you might just as well have named me "Beat him up the schoolyard regularly"
Posted: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Article comment by:
Wendy proud to be Liberal
I also am proud to be liberal. That quote is one of my favorites and I have it posted on my wall at work. As for Guess Again, you are quoteing from Ted Kennedy recaping what his brother JFK said. I stand behind my Presidant, It is time to move on. We had 8 years for the conservatives to get us in the mess we are in. It time for you stop whinning. We sucked it up when you where in charge, now it is time for you to suck it and get on board, it can't be any worse then what the conservatives got us into, we might even fix it
Posted: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Article comment by:
now thats bad advice
listening to glenn beck, mike savage, hanity or limbaugh is the worst advice i ever heard in my life. use your own mind, your own thoughts and for the sake of your own sanity form your own opinion. these profits of hate and doom make millions upon millions they are entertainers nothing more i doubt they even subscribe to what they so recklessly spew as an opiate to the masses. "stay tuned for what glenn says next " and watch the sponsor money pile up to the ceiling (for them alone). they all need to be more rational with the hate and fear they spread. people dont think beyond what their personal heroes send across the airways and look for some one to follow blindly and just embrace their implanted opinions and thoughts because its easier than having the conviction of forming ones own. you have been givin free will, but embrace some one elses. you are givin the freedom of speech but only repeat what others put out for public consumption. those are two examples of complete and total waste of given rights. stand up for your self who cares what label its given liberal, conservative, right or left. the betterment of all is what is important not just what your label says you should believe or say. move forward, together and for a brighter future for all. infighting and labeling is pointless, and a complete waste of much needed energy that could be used in more constructive way
Posted: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Article comment by:
Ugly Word
Yeah, life was good under our previous president, wasn't it? No one had any real problems. Everyone had jobs, housing market was up, banks loans were no problem, wall-street was making money for the overly wealthy. Yeah, life was good! Wasn't it? Wonder why Mr. Obama was elected with such a landslide, when his whole platform was about change? Obviously, no change was needed. When the next election comes around, I'm sure we'll all say the same thing. Who needs change? It's such an ugly word!
Posted: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Article comment by:
Ray H
The current democratic party is so far to the left that JFK would be considered 'rightwing'. The current definitions of 'liberal' and 'conservative' are obsolete.
Posted: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Article comment by:
wow i just got it!
wow i finally got it! i was lookin and lookin at it over and over. the complete feeling of recognition of something or someone kept on everytime i read and reread it, where have i seen it? do i know this person? why is this so recognizable to me? then POW it hit like a diamond plated bullet between eyes..... FRANK LEE SPEAKING ie frankly speaking so simple so obvious and i looked at it a dozen times before it sank in. hats off to you sir that was witty, and cloaked just enough to throw me into a why do i know that name trance. however if that is your real name kudos to your parents sir. and now i can read what you posted now that i can get past your heading lol
Posted: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Article comment by:
De Nube
I don't even know why I'm posting a reply. This "liberal/conservative" thing is crap and does the country harm. We can all think on our own, and you will find that many people agree on a lot of points, but not all. One of our biggest problems is that people try to think liberal or conservative because that's the two biggest parties in our government. WE NEED TO GET PAST THIS!!!! We need to do what's best for our country, and if that means to use our brains instead of our party affiliation, then do it!! I am pro-gun (don't take away my rights), anti-abortion (abortion is NOT birth control), pro-Constitution (what we are founded on), not much for welfare (you get back what you put in) and big on limited government (let the private sector sink/swim on their own merit). I guess most would call me conservative, but no one speaks for me, I can defend my own beliefs. Until we get past our silly little affiliation/party line crap, we will get no where!!
Posted: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Article comment by:
Stoney .
To I Also, Am Proud to be a Liberal:
I wouldn't have used Britain banning Mike Savage to make a point if I were you. You just showed how Britain likes to censor counter point of views. How they have less freedom than us. Not a good move buddy......
Posted: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Article comment by:
Wake UP America!
The liberals are asking us to give Obama time. We agree and think 25 to life would be appropriate. Get your heads out of the Sand....and start listening to Beck....he'll open your eyes.
Posted: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Article comment by:
ica rus
People make a tactical error when they label themselves.
Posted: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Article comment by:
Diogenes' Lantern
@ ***rancher***
Begging your pardon, but Utopian classless share-the-wealth societies are much older than a hundred years. There have been theories of ideal Utopian societies all the way back past the ancient Greeks. But with regard U.S. history, Utopian societies go back to our very beginnings.
Of course Utopian societies never succeeded unless they changed to admit to and accept human frailties and faults. The only one I know of that survives to this day in any form is Oneida Community Silverplate which is a respected silversmith and producer of fine silverware. But when it started it was but one of many who fled Europe's religious and political persecution to start the perfect society here in the New World.
The concept of Utopia has it's source in Plato's Republic, which is a perfect paints a Republic society wherein the beauties of society reign (eg: equality and a general pacifist attitude), although its citizens are all ready to fight if need be. The evils of society, eg: poverty and misery, are all removed. Such a society has few laws, no lawyers and rarely sends its citizens to war, and encourages tolerance of all religions.
Utopian novels are abundant throughout much of human literature. Perhaps the most famous is by James Hilton in his Utopian novel Lost Horizon (1933). The book was brought to the screen by Frank Capra's 1937 classic of the same name, Lost Horizon.
However, Utopian does not necessarily mean freedom. Most Utopian communities, experimental as they were, were mostly very totalitarian societies because such perfection is beyond the capabilities of ordinary mortal men and women.
Nor does a progressive philosopny necessarily mean bent toward government control of everything with a thrust toward spreading the wealth (though I can't deny that some liberals/progressives do want this sort of bland homogenous society.)
To my thinking as well as that of many progressives the philosophy leans more toward encouraging mankind to explore new worlds, new ways of growing society, as well as a more humane attitude toward the less fortunate members of society.
To me this translates into a society that continually expands it's economic base with innovation, is not afraid to try new ideas, offers broad opportunity to all, and yet works to -- as the Constitution puts it -- provide for the general welfare of its citizens.
To me the general welfare means providing all citizens with a minimum level of medical care and subsistance while at the same time providing the opportunity for those with the ability and skills to rise well above that minimum level with no cap. Including the least of our members can do nothing less than raise the humanity and grace of the rest of us. It puts us on the high road. From that point of view, I am very proud to be a progressive or liberal.
Posted: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Article comment by:
Frank Lee Speaking
@I Also, Am Proud to be a Liberal
While I would not waste my time listening to Michael Savage, Your use of Britain as a example of sound progressive reasoning is a joke. They also put restrictions on the sale of kitchen knives to people. But I am sure that like many liberals you would welcome Britain-like restrictions on free speech. As long as it is speech liberals disagree with. Just think of what you will not have to hear about if you ever get the return of the Fairness Doctrine liberals are so fond of.
Posted: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Article comment by:
Guess Again
As usual, the liberal gets it wrong.
Marion Steele's made up quote of Kennedy is relatively close, but still way off. The so-called dictionary quote she uses does not exist in any dictionary, online otherwise.
And, it seems no one does their due diligence. The same letter was published two weeks ago in the Mohave Daily News. I guess Marion didn't think that gave her enough exposure.
It is easy to see Steele is a liberal. Everything she says she made up to suit her claim. That is the trademark of the modern American liberal.
By the way, here's the original Kennedy quote "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.'"
Next time get it right. Someone may actually look it up.
Posted: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Article comment by:
Warren O
If there are Tea Parties, can we also have Coffee Klatches...?
What's sort of sad is that I've always been more of a centrist -- but the polisphere has shifted so far t the right that now, I look like a radical leftie moonbat. That thought should unsettle just about everyone.
Posted: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Article comment by:
PATRIOT WES
I honestly try to listen and understand the liberal side of things, the problem is none of it makes sense and there are to many assumptions made that just are not true! Liberalism is kind of like global warming, it comes from a false pretense. Its all bad science, and until something does make sense, think I will stay a Reagan conserative! Best of luck in the upcoming elections, even democrats don't like what is going on!
Posted: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Article comment by:
Linda Athens
I also:
Dig a little deeper on those Obama stories of people without health care. First, it was outrageous to parade an 11 year old boy out, saying HE came up with the idea of going in front of the country and telling of his Mother's dying. Sure he did and I have some beach front property in Yucca to sell.
Rush was right. This bill, if it is DEEMED through, won't go into affect for four years anyway so it wouldn't have helped his Mother. And she might have died anyway, healthcare or not. People do die everyday.
Don't forget, 10 years of paying for six years of health care and one of the amounts they use in two different places. That's a good one. It's like you pay $80 for your water bill but use that same $80 to pay your light bill. How does that work anyway? But that is what they did to get the numbers to look better for them. Can't you people see the insanity of all this, lies, skewed numbers, ignoring the will of the people.
All of the stories Obama has told have been half truths. One woman he told of would have been covered by the hospital's own policy and she would have owed nothing.
Kucinich caved but we knew he would. Rush explained it best. Kucinich wanted single payer but was too dumb to realize, THIS PLAN, if they ever actually get it written up will lead to single payer. So Obama gets Kucinich on the plane and tells him, Dennis, you are holding things up by wanting single payer when what you don't realize is, this WILL be single payer in a few short years and those horrible insurance companies we hate so badly will all be out of business.
He probably failed to mention all the jobs lost in the insurance industry but not to worry because Orrin Hatch last night said there will be 1700 new departments created from this bill. 1700. I thought it was 170 and I am just dumbstruck at this. That is the plan of course get everyone in a government job so they keep the libs voted in just as has happened in England. There are so many more government jobs created by socialistic health care, the people in England are afraid to let go of it now for fear of losing their jobs.
SMALL GOVERNMENT. That is what our founders set up. They are turning in their graves And if that phony deeming goes through, I predict there is going to be hell to pay because the sleeping giant here is waking up all across the country.
Meanwhile Obama is heading out to more muslim countries to snuggle up to while he hangs Israel out to dry. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God Mr. Obama. And Israel is God's country.
Posted: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Article comment by:
A.D G
your label "liberal" was tarnished and destroyed by foolish aclu actions giving something for nothing to the undeserving, and general over use of the term, communist are not liberals, marxist are not communists and socialist are not liberals its all been so smashed together and god forbid any one really looks into something before making a label for another. and by the way im proud to think for myself, research what im looking into and trying (not always doing so) to be intelligent. whats that make me?
Posted: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Article comment by:
Ima Liberaltoo
Thank you Marrion. After reading your letter, and the subsequent replies, I know I am on the correct side (and I don't mean Right!) The points made by fellow progressives are well thought out and meaningful, while the others just strengthen my belief. Oh, and lol @ Aflac Duck!
