The Observer, February 1, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 15
Political Connection: Why I'm a liberal
I'm a liberal.
The term "liberal" is treated like a dirty word in American politics. Democrats run from the term as much as Republicans try to pin it on them. It's meant to encompass all the government programs and policies you don't like, whatever they may be – from "God, guns, or gays" to "welfare queens." It's also more than just being not conservative. By the way some liberals talk, you'd never know there is something to it beyond being angry at everything conservatives do.
What does it mean to me? It starts with a few basic values. A society should be concerned about the welfare of all of its citizens, especially those less fortunate. Although individual responsibility is important, it doesn't eliminate the collective responsibility we have toward each other. When government operates with the interests of its citizens in mind, it can be a powerful tool for fulfilling that shared duty.
At the same time, a liberal is skeptical about governmental self-restraint. Oversight and accountability are just as important as effective policy. The courts must enforce the contract between the people and their government by guarding the liberties promised by our Constitution and laws. The freedom of speech, separation of church and state, right to due process, and guarantee of equal treatment under law may not be absolute principles, but they should never be sacrificed to political preference or convenience.
Being a liberal also means embracing progress. Adapting to the modern world is not an option – people and their ways of life change and the government must reflect that. Tradition should guide the changes our society must make, not stop them.
The policies many liberals support represent American values no more or less than conservative positions. A strong market economy can exist with environmental protections, fair trade standards, and consumer safety laws. A progressive tax system, where the wealthy meaningfully contribute back to the society that helped them achieve success, is more than reasonable. We need to stop acting like health care and education are privileges and help provide universal medical coverage and a quality public education to everyone. And on the world stage, America needs to participate in the international community as an advocate for diplomacy and compromise.
Fundamentally, being liberal is a commitment to social and economic progress within our society. John F. Kennedy summarized it better than I ever can:
"What do our opponents mean when they apply to us the label 'liberal?'…[If] by a 'liberal' they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people – their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties – someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a 'liberal,' then I'm proud to say I'm a 'liberal.'"
