Ms. Smith Goes to Washington

October 20, 2005

A Couple of Thoughts on "Liberals" and "Progressives"

MS. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON
by Shirley Smith

In response to David Sirota's blog, What's the Difference Between a Liberal and a Progressive? ...

I get disappointed when people (I know they don't mean to exactly) try to, yet again, keep separating people, and the need to put everyone into neat little columns . . . it's just not that easy. In fact, it can't be done. I agree with this one posting on the blog (didn't read all of them) . . . the poster really says it all, except I might add that the leaders of the Democratic Party in Congress today are, as they like to be called, moderates or centrists, but actually are in my book, Republican Lites and are probably guilty of drinking from the same corporate kool-aid trough once in a while . . . as have many of the other GOP members of Congress who have been guilty of sipping from it most of the time. That is one hellava problem today. I'm again talking about the DLC.

It's funny how liberals are getting the blame, sort of, for what these Republican Lites are doing to this Party when they are referred to as liberals by some Democrats. I've never considered the DLC to be Liberal, period.

I just thought I would send this person's comment because it was so well written with so few words. And, I'm also proud to say that I have been a liberal Democrat since high school, believe that or not. The proof is in my senior annual. :)  

Liberalism as defined in this piece is not how I would define it. Everything Sirota said about progressives I believe IS Liberalism. My understanding of Liberalism, which I am proud to call myself is that Liberals understand there is classism in this country along with other isms. We believe in checking those that harm others. We do believe in having the government assist it citzens. However we also believe in making those who create a painful existence for the people be held accountable. Liberals believe in shared sacrifice but not as defined by the right who seems the think that the middle class and poor must keep sacrificing while the rich do none. We do believe in giving relief and lifting all people and that corporations should not be protected more than american citzens.

I don't like the term progressive because I see it as a dodge. It is used to separate people from a term that has been demonized by the right. The fact that you make a distinction between progressive and liberal tells me that you have bought the trick bag of bs that the right used in defining liberalism.

My whole life I've been liberal and I believe in the agenda that you claim is more of progressive thinking. To me that is liberal thinking wrapped in a new term. If that makes you comfortable, so be it. For me I don't need the term progressive to describe my beliefs. Liberalism has always suited me just fine. I'm proud to use the word.

As to Gore, I belived in the fight. I didn't think he should quit. But, I think the problem with the party then and now is that they try to please everyone outside of it and continue to screw the based and its loyalist members. I believe that the centerist are more of a problem for their lack of a stand than any liberal can ever be.

Posted by: nycjoc on October 19, 2005 at 12:20pm

Just a thought,

Thanks BuzzFlash,  

Shirley Smith

Shirley Smith is a regular BuzzFlash Reader and Contributor. Many of her earlier posts can be found in the Mailbag.