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- G e n d e r G a p p e r s T M
WE STOPPED THINKING
| That's right. Following the election of President
Clinton, Liberals stopped thinking about tomorrow. They let their minds
and hearts get fat and lazy while the
Conservatives fed their political beasts and sponsored more and more hate
filled talk shows.
Libs seemed to blow off the stirring song that led Clinton/Gore to victory and 8 years in the White House. Cons kept hate alive by constantly going after President Clinton and everyone in his administration. Eight long years and it cost the Libs plenty. Look at where they are after 3-1/2 years of Bush. Conservative media is rampant on network and cable TV, many newspapers and magazines. The Libs (only belatedly) have Air America Radio, some great columnists/books and Fahrenheit 9/11. Is it too little too late?
Instead of correcting these lies, Liberals look as if they are ashamed and run away from this appellation by calling themselves Progressives or Centrists or some such hedging device. Liberals should be proud of being liberal. It reflects their concern, compassion and caring nature. Forget this whole value war the Bushies are mounting. Liberal is the one value that permeates everything. Check back on the social and civil programs to meet the true reflection of a Liberal. The star and lifeline for so many is Social Security. This was and still is so important for women who seldom get comparable pay during their working years so they cannot invest for their retirement as most men can. Then there is Medicare and Medicaid along with the many social programs that help the disadvantaged. Where Cons want to sweep these unfortunates under the rug like so much detritus, Libs endeavor to integrate them, with their pride intact, into the human community. Liberals have always been at the forefront of race and gender advancement. Yes, it has been too slow an advancement, but just reflect on how the Bush 3-1/2 years have already reversed some gains and plans to continue. Liberals should be screaming their heads off now, questioning the Cons logic of piously decrying abortion while denying women the right to the "morning after pill." Who has held the line on environment all these years, withstanding the attempted rape on it by the Cons? In a word, Liberals, and they should be proud of it and claim back the purity of their birth name. Why do Liberals docilely continue to let the Cons define them? Why don't they fight back and proudly relate all the good and great things that Liberals stand for? If the Kerry-Edwards ticket wins are Liberals united enough to keep working to elect liberals in the future? Will they support that administration, keep up the flow of information or revert to the way they were in the 90's and "stop thinking about tomorrow?" It is imperative that this time Libs get a mega pride transfusion and see the job through. And if the Kerry-Edwards ticket loses? Four more years of war is just too horrible to contemplate. A GenderGappers subscriber wrote: "I am much more scared of Bush than of any terrorist. I might or might not be killed by a terrorist bomb -- but Bush threatens life on the whole planet. -- I.H. 2004-029 Copyright 2004 Renee T. Louise and Ruth M. Sprague, Ph.D. These articles may be republished for noncommercial use only, provided that they are copied intact, and that this copyright notice is attached. Address all queries to: twanda@sover.net. |
The
signs go this way and that but one thing is clear. Liberals still shy away
from the name "Liberal." This is unconscionable. It is the Cons
who have contrived to make it a dirty word by intonation and by constantly
linking it with tax and spend in their negative ads.