This IS encouraging, in a way- it says a lot about the attractiveness of liberal ideals. The word 'liberal' might not be a popular as it once was, but the content is more important than the label.
On the other hand, it's discouraging to think that the Republicans can consistently pretend to be liberals while persuing a radically conservative agenda, and not be called on it by our press.
Shoot. I got all excited at first, and now I feel like it's a wash.
If you think about it, in many ways society is much more liberal than it was just a few years ago. Actually, that is what the conservatives are complaining about. I think it will continue along this path as long as the backlash isn't too severe. But I keep worrying -- what if they actually win? How far will they go? That thought scares me half to death because I know how far past societies have gone, or for that matter how far the Islamic world has gone today.
Interestingly enough, I think the President DOES want to do those things, he just disagrees with you as to the best way to go about accomplishing them. He tends to think that the social-welfare mentality of the New Deal and Great Society were ultimately ineffective, and that an increased free-market model would ultimately achieve those goals better, especially given the changing demographics of American society.
Now, whether or not he's right...well, that's a different question. But I think it's hard to fault the zeal.
If you think about it, in many ways society is much more liberal than it was just a few years ago.
I guess... I'm just really worried about our slowly eroding abilities to organize labor. Grassroots environmentalist groups are productive, in their own spheres, and all the talk about 'netroots' is a nice ego boost, but unions formed the base of the Democratic resurgance. Joe Hill, Cesar Chavez, Mother Jones... Andy Stern of Service Employees International Union is laying out some interesting proposals aimed at organizing more workplaces, but there are no heroes of the movement. And so many progessives who could be in unions like the SEIU just don't think it's important.
Having a society where two consenting adults can agree to share their incomes, grant each other hospital visitation rights, and gain all the other benefits of legal marriage is a good thing, but with out organized labor, I don't think we'll be able to hold on those changes.
Commenting by HaloScan
