Left, right, left...hup two, three, four

In case you hadn’t noticed…the right wing has been doing their very best to demonize the word “liberal” and I must admit that they are doing a good job of it. People who should know better equate “liberal” with all manner of nonsense…all wrong of course. Education is what is needed; that and those of us who are liberal need to be proud of the fact and not hide behind the term “progressive”.

Just read these two definitions from the American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

Conservative
Favoring traditional views and values; tending to oppose change. 2. Traditional or restrained in style: a conservative dark suit. 3. Moderate; cautious: a conservative estimate. 4a. Of or relating to the political philosophy of conservatism. b. Belonging to a conservative party, group, or movement. 5. Conservative Of or belonging to the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom or the Progressive Conservative Party in Canada. 6. Conservative Of or adhering to Conservative Judaism. 7. Tending to conserve; preservative: the conservative use of natural resources.
SYNONYMS: Traditional, conventional, conformist, unadventurous, old-fashioned, traditionalist, old-school
ANTONYM: Avant-garde

Liberal
SYLLABICATION: lib·er·al
ADJECTIVE: 1a. Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry. b. Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded. c. Of, relating to, or characteristic of liberalism. d. Liberal Of, designating, or characteristic of a political party founded on or associated with principles of social and political liberalism, especially in Great Britain, Canada, and the United States. 2a. Tending to give freely; generous: a liberal benefactor. b. Generous in amount; ample: a liberal serving of potatoes. 3. Not strict or literal; loose or approximate: a liberal translation. 4. Of, relating to, or based on the traditional arts and sciences of a college or university curriculum: a liberal education. 5a. Archaic Permissible or appropriate for a person of free birth; befitting a lady or gentleman. b. Obsolete Morally unrestrained; licentious.
NOUN: 1. A person with liberal ideas or opinions. 2. Liberal A member of a Liberal political party.
SYNONYMS: liberal, bounteous, bountiful, freehanded, generous, handsome, munificent, openhanded These adjectives mean willing or marked by a willingness to give unstintingly: a liberal backer of the arts; a bounteous feast; bountiful compliments; a freehanded host; a generous donation; a handsome offer; a munificent gift; fond and openhanded grandparents. See also synonyms at broad-minded.
ANTONYM: stingy

Hey! I didn’t write those definitions…but I could have. Now do what is right and turn to the left. You will be a much happier person for it.