I have been reading DailyKos for a few years now. I rarely post due to the fact that I have a life & not much time (I have a full time job, and a family). In 2006 and 2008, I was excited because it seems that Liberalism or Progressivism if you prefer, was making a comeback. We have taken a beating over the last 30 years. But, lately I am becoming extremely concerned over the selfishness and the 'all about me' attitude from the right and some on the left.
The history of right-left politics dates back to the French National Assembly clear back in 1789 after their revolution. In this assembly, The Wealthy and Business owners sat on the right, while the left was full of peasants or common people. Today we call them Conservatives and Liberals, but the interest groups are the same.
Liberal literally means 'Generous' and works towards maximum individual liberties for all people. We do the good work. Through the over 200 years of our history, Liberals have made great strides to improve this country and improve the lives of those who live here and love this country. Liberals have been members of both parties and believe Government does play a role in our lives. If you like your 40 hour work week, overtime pay, vacation time, work place safety and a decent wage, then thank a Liberal. We placed the safety nets under those that found hard times, like Social Security, Workman's Comp, Medicare. We are the leaders of Civil Rights for all, leading the way for our LGBT community, and all minorities. We are the protectors of the environment and yes, we even freed the slaves. You might argue that Lincoln was a Republican, for which I would agree, but he was a Liberal Republican (something that rarely exists anymore) and emphasized more on individual freedoms and less on tax breaks for the rich.
So here we find ourselves in 2011, when we hear arguments from the right about the horrors of people that don't look like them, or don't speak like them, or are not as rich as them. Now is the time for Liberals to rise up and reclaim our good name. Afterall, there are more of us than there are of them (they just don't know it). Speak out for the people and argue that Government does have a role to play in giving everyone an equal opportunity to succeed. Over the past 30 years, the right has repeated over and over again that we are a "center-right nation." maybe they have said it enough that people believe it, not me. I believe what has been really happening is the right-wing has defined liberals while we have been focusing on individual issues. We never fought back much, instead we fight in our many little groups, not on redefining our good name, but fighting for the environment, tax structure, healthcare, public education, labor, social security, and against wall street and the wars. These are all issues the right has fought us on, but now is the time we all stand up and say, "I am a Liberal, I stand with the people, I want 'your issue.'" We can not afford to let them win and move us backwards to the 1800's anymore.