I read with interest the two definitions of liberal Lisa Pampuch
culled from dictionary.com. I hope to explain why the term
”
liberal
”
is sometimes used as a term of opprobrium by some
conservatives.
I read with interest the two definitions of liberal Lisa Pampuch culled from dictionary.com. I hope to explain why the term “liberal” is sometimes used as a term of opprobrium by some conservatives.
The definitions are partially correct. Modern leftists “are not limited to or by … traditional [or] orthodox … attitudes, views, or dogmas.” On the contrary, they frequently try to denigrate and destroy traditional attitudes, views, and dogmas.
Examples are rife: consider atheist Michael Newdow’s suit to remove the words “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance. Consider the attempts by the homosexual lobby to redefine marriage as being between more than one man and one woman. Consider the feminist movement’s insistence that women should be wage slaves instead of wives, raising children at home in their spare time.
Leftists are, however, quite “limited to or by established … or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas.” Rob Reich, whose book Ms. Pampuch is anxious to read, is a case in point. Mr. Reich has written papers against homeschooling. He prefers to uphold the conventional, established, authoritarian government schools.
He is afraid that homeschooled children will not grow up to be independent thinkers. Somehow it escapes him that teaching one’s own, outside of a government school, is a fiercely independent act, and that children tend to learn what they live. Narrow-minded of him, in my opinion.
Modern leftists favor some “proposals for reform;” they are open to some “new ideas for progress.” But not all. They are opposed to proposals for reform and new ideas for progress such as school choice, vouchers, tax cuts, the flat tax, and an improved reading list at Gilroy High School, to name a few.
Modern leftists are tolerant of some ideas and behaviors of others, but not all. They are tolerant of sexual license and promiscuity, of homosexuality, of sex clubs such as the Forum, and of open access to Internet pornography for all public library patrons, regardless of age.
They are extremely bigoted against and intolerant of Christianity, even going so far as to compare believing Christians with terrorists. Ms. Pampuch herself has expressed intolerance toward Christian parents who prevent their children from reading or seeing Harry Potter books and movies.
Although leftists consider themselves broadminded and free from bigotry, they begin to call names as soon as they run out of data and arguments, which is soon. David McRae accused The Dispatch of racism for running a story about how Hispanics own computers less often than English speaking families.
Lupe Arellano played the race card even more spectacularly at a recent school board meeting. Lupe was arguing for the inclusion of more Latino works on the GUSD reading lists. Denise Baer Apuzzo, at the podium, jokingly remarked that she saw she would have to gather up several Irish friends and lobby for more Irish works. Lupe promptly shouted, “Racist!” at her from the audience. The left attacks even fellow leftists and Democrats when they break out of lockstep.
I do not use the term “liberal” to characterize modern day leftists, because I do not believe that modern day leftists are liberals. Thomas Jefferson was a liberal. I am a Jeffersonian liberal: life, liberty, property, huzzah! Modern day leftists tend to be against all three.
On life: the right wants to kill terrorists and condemned criminals, and to save innocent unborn babies. The left favors the opposite course.
On liberty: the right supports the right of the people to keep and bear arms. The left would like to see all fire-power in the hands of the government. The right wants a limited, sovereign government, one that respects individual rights. The left wants increased taxation and increased government power and a world government run by the United Nations.
On property: the right wants to decrease taxes and protect private property, that cornerstone of freedom. The left wants the government to own more and control all property, in the name of protecting the environment.
Of course, none of the above sins are inextricably linked to liberalism. The left could quit calling names, could become more tolerant of conservative thought. We could have a country again, instead of a battle for America. It would take a miracle … but I believe in miracles.
