I am a Liberal. And not shy about it.
I am also a Progressive. (There’s a difference, albeit small.) And not shy about that, either.
In today’s “Cheers and Jeers” on Daily Kos, the author begins with quotes about being a liberal from some well-known persons. The words reminded me again of just why I am a liberal, so I thought they were worth sharing.
“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.”
– John F. Kennedy
“I believe in a relatively equal society, supported by institutions that limit extremes of wealth and poverty. I believe in democracy, civil liberties, and the rule of law. That makes me a liberal, and I’m proud of it.”
– Paul Krugman
“Reality has a well-known liberal bias.”
– Stephen Colbert
“Today’s so-called ‘conservatives’ don’t even know what the word means. They think I’ve turned liberal because I believe a woman has a right to an abortion. That’s a decision that’s up to the pregnant woman, not up to the pope or some do-gooders or the Religious Right. It’s not a conservative issue at all.”
– Barry Goldwater
“Being a liberal is the best thing on earth you can be. You are welcoming to everyone when you’re a liberal. You do not have a small mind. ... I’m total, total, total liberal and proud of it. And I think it’s outrageous to say ‘The L word.’ I mean, excuse me. They should be damn lucky that they were liberals here. Liberals gave more to the population of the United States than any other group.”
– Lauren Bacall
“Everybody knows God is nonpartisan, but I swear Jesus was a liberal — the best, the biggest, the original bleeding heart — the one who embraced the outcasts, the model for us all. Just read the stuff in the New Testament written in red.”
– Molly Ivins
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