Debunking the myths about Liberals

[sMiLeYz]

Great piece from the new book by Joe Conason.

Big Lies

Yet the propagandists of the right are still too quick to brand America "conservative." Despite decades of angry denigration of liberalism, the American people continue to uphold the same ideals that have always been identified with the progressive tradition, from Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin to Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy. Americans believe in fairness, equality, opportunity, and compassion; they reject social Darwinism and excessive privilege.

What do liberals stand for? Their adversaries constantly accuse them of elitism, political correctness, immorality, socialism, communism, even treason. These are standard-issue lies from the right-wing propaganda arsenal. Liberalism is an American philosophy that encompasses a broad variety of ideas -- yet is probably more coherent than the current brand of conservatism, which ranges from atheist libertarianism to theocratic fundamentalism.

The most basic liberal values are political equality and economic opportunity. Liberals uphold democracy as the only form of government that derives legitimacy from the consent of the governed, and they regard the freedoms enumerated in the Bill of Rights as essential to the expression of popular consent. Their commitment to an expanding democracy is what drives liberal advocacy on behalf of women, minorities, gays, immigrants, and other traditionally disenfranchised groups.

 

[Tripleshot]

Conservatives enjoy their virtual monopoly over the nation's political conversation, of course. They paid a lot of money for it and they intend to keep it. They dominate the national debate not because their ideas are better (or more popular), but because they have more resources and a vast, coordinated infrastructure that has been built up during three decades. They also tend to dominate because -- unlike the supposedly liberal mainstream media -- conservatives are perfectly willing to stifle opposition. Liberal opinion is hard to find in conservative newspapers and liberal voices are rarely heard on conservative talk radio.

I fully agree with this. This thread is bound to be attacked by some ditto head any minute now.

And if this is a description of a liberal , then so be it. I'm one and proud of it.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: Tripleshot

Conservatives enjoy their virtual monopoly over the nation's political conversation, of course. They paid a lot of money for it and they intend to keep it. They dominate the national debate not because their ideas are better (or more popular), but because they have more resources and a vast, coordinated infrastructure that has been built up during three decades. They also tend to dominate because -- unlike the supposedly liberal mainstream media -- conservatives are perfectly willing to stifle opposition. Liberal opinion is hard to find in conservative newspapers and liberal voices are rarely heard on conservative talk radio.

I fully agree with this. This thread is bound to be attacked by some ditto head any minute now.

And if this is a description of a liberal , then so be it. I'm one and proud of it.

Yeah!!! Liberal voices on conservative radio!!! Buahahaha Liberal opinion in conservative newspapers!!!! Buahahaha
One question. WHY? If it is obvious they are "conservative" then why do they have to pay lipservice to the other side?(ok that was 2)

Another thing - why don't they do the same thing? Oh wait they are trying. I can't wait to hear the Al Gore show on the radio Seems to me that they(libs) have just as much freedom to use these avenues as the Right do. Their problem is that they thought they could hide their bias if they made it look like they were giving the other side a fair shake. Wimps. Bring it on - lets hear the Tom Daschle show on the Radio - how about a "libs R us" newsrag. Come on....I dare ya.

Buahahahaha!!!! Their voice stifled....Puhleeeeeze.
Sounds like whining to me WHAAAAAAAAA!!!!

CkG

Note: post was somewhat overdramatized .... just to stir things up

 

[sMiLeYz]

Originally posted by: Tripleshot

Conservatives enjoy their virtual monopoly over the nation's political conversation, of course. They paid a lot of money for it and they intend to keep it. They dominate the national debate not because their ideas are better (or more popular), but because they have more resources and a vast, coordinated infrastructure that has been built up during three decades. They also tend to dominate because -- unlike the supposedly liberal mainstream media -- conservatives are perfectly willing to stifle opposition. Liberal opinion is hard to find in conservative newspapers and liberal voices are rarely heard on conservative talk radio.

I fully agree with this. This thread is bound to be attacked by some ditto head any minute now.

And if this is a description of a liberal , then so be it. I'm one and proud of it.

Most of the "dittoheads" would rather ignore this thread than deal with the uncomfortable truth.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: sMiLeYz

Originally posted by: Tripleshot

Conservatives enjoy their virtual monopoly over the nation's political conversation, of course. They paid a lot of money for it and they intend to keep it. They dominate the national debate not because their ideas are better (or more popular), but because they have more resources and a vast, coordinated infrastructure that has been built up during three decades. They also tend to dominate because -- unlike the supposedly liberal mainstream media -- conservatives are perfectly willing to stifle opposition. Liberal opinion is hard to find in conservative newspapers and liberal voices are rarely heard on conservative talk radio.

I fully agree with this. This thread is bound to be attacked by some ditto head any minute now.

And if this is a description of a liberal , then so be it. I'm one and proud of it.

Most of the "dittoheads" would rather ignore this thread than deal with the uncomfortable truth.

Not me Oh and the "truth" is that these mediums don't play well for the libs But as I said - "bring em on!"

CkG

 

[DealMonkey]

OMG! I'm blinded by freaking smiley faces. For the love of god, please stop Cad!

 

[sMiLeYz]

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY

Originally posted by: Tripleshot

Conservatives enjoy their virtual monopoly over the nation's political conversation, of course. They paid a lot of money for it and they intend to keep it. They dominate the national debate not because their ideas are better (or more popular), but because they have more resources and a vast, coordinated infrastructure that has been built up during three decades. They also tend to dominate because -- unlike the supposedly liberal mainstream media -- conservatives are perfectly willing to stifle opposition. Liberal opinion is hard to find in conservative newspapers and liberal voices are rarely heard on conservative talk radio.

I fully agree with this. This thread is bound to be attacked by some ditto head any minute now.

And if this is a description of a liberal , then so be it. I'm one and proud of it.

Yeah!!! Liberal voices on conservative radio!!! Buahahaha Liberal opinion in conservative newspapers!!!! Buahahaha
One question. WHY? If it is obvious they are "conservative" then why do they have to pay lipservice to the other side?(ok that was 2)

Another thing - why don't they do the same thing? Oh wait they are trying. I can't wait to hear the Al Gore show on the radio Seems to me that they(libs) have just as much freedom to use these avenues as the Right do. Their problem is that they thought they could hide their bias if they made it look like they were giving the other side a fair shake. Wimps. Bring it on - lets hear the Tom Daschle show on the Radio - how about a "libs R us" newsrag. Come on....I dare ya.

Buahahahaha!!!! Their voice stifled....Puhleeeeeze.
Sounds like whining to me WHAAAAAAAAA!!!!

CkG

Note: post was somewhat overdramatized .... just to stir things up

It's funny when you accuse liberals of trying to hide their biases. Which right wing proganda news channel label themselves as "Fair and Balanced"? Who coin the term "No spin zone"?

Dont make me laugh Cad, but continue to name call and "overdramatize" than rather deal with the issue at hand. After all, isnt that what conservatives like yourself are best at?

 

[DealMonkey]

I actually read the article earlier today. The gist of it being: there's nothing wrong with being liberal. The right-wing conservative dittomonkeys like to drone on and on about how liberals are bad. Blah, blah, blah. There's nothing inherently wrong with being liberal. Just like there's nothing inherently wrong about being conservative. It's simply another way of looking at things. I'd rather judge someone on their actions versus their professed political leanings.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: sMiLeYz

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY

Originally posted by: Tripleshot

Conservatives enjoy their virtual monopoly over the nation's political conversation, of course. They paid a lot of money for it and they intend to keep it. They dominate the national debate not because their ideas are better (or more popular), but because they have more resources and a vast, coordinated infrastructure that has been built up during three decades. They also tend to dominate because -- unlike the supposedly liberal mainstream media -- conservatives are perfectly willing to stifle opposition. Liberal opinion is hard to find in conservative newspapers and liberal voices are rarely heard on conservative talk radio.

I fully agree with this. This thread is bound to be attacked by some ditto head any minute now.

And if this is a description of a liberal , then so be it. I'm one and proud of it.

Yeah!!! Liberal voices on conservative radio!!! Buahahaha Liberal opinion in conservative newspapers!!!! Buahahaha
One question. WHY? If it is obvious they are "conservative" then why do they have to pay lipservice to the other side?(ok that was 2)

Another thing - why don't they do the same thing? Oh wait they are trying. I can't wait to hear the Al Gore show on the radio Seems to me that they(libs) have just as much freedom to use these avenues as the Right do. Their problem is that they thought they could hide their bias if they made it look like they were giving the other side a fair shake. Wimps. Bring it on - lets hear the Tom Daschle show on the Radio - how about a "libs R us" newsrag. Come on....I dare ya.

Buahahahaha!!!! Their voice stifled....Puhleeeeeze.
Sounds like whining to me WHAAAAAAAAA!!!!

CkG

Note: post was somewhat overdramatized .... just to stir things up

It's funny when you accuse liberals of trying to hide their biases. Which right wing proganda news channel label themselves as "Fair and Balanced"? Who coin the term "No spin zone"?

Dont make me laugh Cad, but continue to name call and "overdramatize" than rather deal with the issue at hand. After all, isnt that what conservatives like yourself are best at?

- I was waiting for that. Fox is Fox - entertainment. Do they slant to the right? Yup. But you have to realize that Fox is a new player in an old game. You've heard Republicans whine for years about the media leaning left. Now that the right has found a way to bypass that and even beat them at their own game we hear the lefties whine.
It's just politics

CkG

<- Just for the cheapchimp.

 

[Tab]

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY

Originally posted by: sMiLeYz

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY

Originally posted by: Tripleshot

Conservatives enjoy their virtual monopoly over the nation's political conversation, of course. They paid a lot of money for it and they intend to keep it. They dominate the national debate not because their ideas are better (or more popular), but because they have more resources and a vast, coordinated infrastructure that has been built up during three decades. They also tend to dominate because -- unlike the supposedly liberal mainstream media -- conservatives are perfectly willing to stifle opposition. Liberal opinion is hard to find in conservative newspapers and liberal voices are rarely heard on conservative talk radio.

I fully agree with this. This thread is bound to be attacked by some ditto head any minute now.

And if this is a description of a liberal , then so be it. I'm one and proud of it.

Yeah!!! Liberal voices on conservative radio!!! Buahahaha Liberal opinion in conservative newspapers!!!! Buahahaha
One question. WHY? If it is obvious they are "conservative" then why do they have to pay lipservice to the other side?(ok that was 2)

Another thing - why don't they do the same thing? Oh wait they are trying. I can't wait to hear the Al Gore show on the radio Seems to me that they(libs) have just as much freedom to use these avenues as the Right do. Their problem is that they thought they could hide their bias if they made it look like they were giving the other side a fair shake. Wimps. Bring it on - lets hear the Tom Daschle show on the Radio - how about a "libs R us" newsrag. Come on....I dare ya.

Buahahahaha!!!! Their voice stifled....Puhleeeeeze.
Sounds like whining to me WHAAAAAAAAA!!!!

CkG

Note: post was somewhat overdramatized .... just to stir things up

It's funny when you accuse liberals of trying to hide their biases. Which right wing proganda news channel label themselves as "Fair and Balanced"? Who coin the term "No spin zone"?

Dont make me laugh Cad, but continue to name call and "overdramatize" than rather deal with the issue at hand. After all, isnt that what conservatives like yourself are best at?

- I was waiting for that. Fox is Fox - entertainment. Do they slant to the right? Yup. But you have to realize that Fox is a new player in an old game. You've heard Republicans whine for years about the media leaning left. Now that the right has found a way to bypass that and even beat them at their own game we hear the lefties whine.
It's just politics

CkG

<- Just for the cheapchimp.

Slant to the right how about topple over? I think the media these days overseas is quite anti-US and in the states its very pro for the most part. Expect for that god awful magazine rollings stones.

 

[ElFenix]

the biggest myth is the liberals reside on the left.

 

[josphII]

the right doesnt demonize the left, the left demonizes themselves by preaching illogical and unfair ideas. this includes affirmative action, their position on national security and the energy sector, wealth redistribution, and anything that comes out of jesse jackson's mouth.

Conservatives enjoy their virtual monopoly over the nation's political conversation, of course. They paid a lot of money for it and they intend to keep it. They dominate the national debate not because their ideas are better (or more popular), but because they have more resources and a vast, coordinated infrastructure that has been built up during three decades.

mainstream media is dominated by the left, this guy is on crack

They also tend to dominate because -- unlike the supposedly liberal mainstream media -- conservatives are perfectly willing to stifle opposition. Liberal opinion is hard to find in conservative newspapers and liberal voices are rarely heard on conservative talk radio.

and this just doesnt make any sense

 

[DragonMasterAlex]

- yet is probably more coherent than the current brand of conservatism, which ranges from atheist libertarianism to theocratic fundamentalism.

I might point out a small flaw here. Atheist Libertarians do NOT fall under the wing of Conservatism. It is precisely the Libertarians who ARE the Liberals of which YOU speak. It's not the democrats who call themselves Liberal; these people, in general, ARE a socialist group in many ways. Clearly not to the extreme that the *literal* socialist party is, but close enough. The reason Libertarians don't tend to call themselves Liberals, which would be more dictionary-correct for their ideology, is that it's been pretty well hijacked by socialized Democrats.

Libertarians, unfortunately, rarely can call themselves Capitalists either, though that's what the party supports, because Conservatives have highjacked that bandwagon as well. Of course, we probably all realize that Conservatives champion capitalism as long as it gets them elected, but they're happy to betray it in order to support their Christian ideas once they get into office.

Oh well, it's a pointless discussion, anyway

Jason