OT; "Liberal" is not a bad word
 

I wrote this for somewhere else, but, since it's on my clipboard, here
it is, for discussion on a cold, boatingless day:

I'm tired of hearing the word "liberal" used as a derogatory word.

What has "Liberalism" ever done for anyone?" was asked.

Here's my answer:

Liberals have made this country what it is today. Social Security,
Medicare, a host of social programs that have built the middle class,
home ownership (yes, Fannie May is a government program), retirement
savings (401k), The list is endless.

It used to be that the elderly were the most needy, but, in our society,
that is no longer the norm. Ask an older person who remembers how
things were for the elderly before Social Security, and other social
programs.

Labor unions took the working poor and gave them living wages. Read
"The Jungle", by Upton Sinclare, for a little history. Read about how
labor was treated by the railroads and the steel industry.

It's sad to see so many of the beneficiaries of these social programs
want to return to "the good old days." They don't understand how they
benefited from liberalism.

Forget arguments about "Midnight Basketball" programs, in the depression
there was no argument about the need for social programs.

If you read the biographies of Colin Powell, Clarance Thomas, G.E. CEO
Jack Welch, and almost anyone who grew up in the eastern seaboard just
after the depression ended, you will read about how these social
programs were the seeds of their successes. A strong social network
(after school programs, community building programs), free college, and
so on.

I found it fascinating that they will speak of their benefit, but they
are in some kind denial in their lack of promoting them. "I pulled
MYSELF up by my bootstraps" is a common theme, even thought they
credited the support of the rise of social programs.

I recommended that the book "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclare, as a good
place to read about how labor was treated before the rise of labor
unions. Someone

recommended that I "Read 'In Dubious Battle' by John Steinbeck."

I've read everything Steinbeck wrote. If you are looking for his take
on social programs, try "The Grapes of Wrath".

The rise of labor unions was almost directly attributed to how labor was
treated in by big business until the rise of labor unions gave workers a
voice.

Liberalism is not a negative force, it's part of the balance we need.

Jim

I believe that politicians are scared to defend the term liberal, after
so much deamonizing to an uninformed population.

Uninformed? read this (if you can):


Gee, getting personal quickly aren't you? Yes, I can read. I can also
spell. If you read your post carefully, you'll glean my meaning.

John H

That was a mistake in editing. The origional word was "illeterate",
than I realized that I liked "uninformed" better, after I thought I'd
post a survey that pointed out that Bush's supporters were uninformed on
some important things.

I think it's a fascinating piece, and it explains a lot of what I see
and hear from Bush's supporters.

Jim

My role model was real Liberal. He healed the sick, raised the dead, walked
on water, loved the poor,,,, Yep! the conservatives killed him. 2000 years
later they proclaim to be his followers.
"Jim" wrote in message
ink.net...
I wrote this for somewhere else, but, since it's on my clipboard, here
it is, for discussion on a cold, boatingless day:

I'm tired of hearing the word "liberal" used as a derogatory word.

What has "Liberalism" ever done for anyone?" was asked.

Here's my answer:

Liberals have made this country what it is today. Social Security,
Medicare, a host of social programs that have built the middle class,
home ownership (yes, Fannie May is a government program), retirement
savings (401k), The list is endless.

It used to be that the elderly were the most needy, but, in our society,
that is no longer the norm. Ask an older person who remembers how
things were for the elderly before Social Security, and other social
programs.

Labor unions took the working poor and gave them living wages. Read
"The Jungle", by Upton Sinclare, for a little history. Read about how
labor was treated by the railroads and the steel industry.

It's sad to see so many of the beneficiaries of these social programs
want to return to "the good old days." They don't understand how they
benefited from liberalism.

Forget arguments about "Midnight Basketball" programs, in the depression
there was no argument about the need for social programs.

If you read the biographies of Colin Powell, Clarance Thomas, G.E. CEO
Jack Welch, and almost anyone who grew up in the eastern seaboard just
after the depression ended, you will read about how these social
programs were the seeds of their successes. A strong social network
(after school programs, community building programs), free college, and
so on.

I found it fascinating that they will speak of their benefit, but they
are in some kind denial in their lack of promoting them. "I pulled
MYSELF up by my bootstraps" is a common theme, even thought they
credited the support of the rise of social programs.

I recommended that the book "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclare, as a good
place to read about how labor was treated before the rise of labor
unions. Someone

recommended that I "Read 'In Dubious Battle' by John Steinbeck."

I've read everything Steinbeck wrote. If you are looking for his take
on social programs, try "The Grapes of Wrath".

The rise of labor unions was almost directly attributed to how labor was
treated in by big business until the rise of labor unions gave workers a
voice.

Liberalism is not a negative force, it's part of the balance we need.

Jim