Sorry, I'm a little slow today (it's raining, and that slows me down some).
I think politics in general is about making mountains out of molehills, while ignoring the real mountains. I don't believe that the left has a monopoly on championing open-ended or nebulous issues. The silly rightwing attack on 'Happy Holidays' comes to mind (although thank goodness not yet to the litigous stage), as do the Ten Commandments in the courthouse and constitutional ban on gay marriage.
If you ask most liberals, they would not point to Roe v Wade as the 'most glorious accomplishment of the left wing', but rather the Civil Rights movement. Or workers rights. Or protection of the environment. Or regulation of the banking, medical, and drug industry. Or social services for the poor, elderly, and otherwise needy. Or publics works programs. All concrete, pragmatic causes that have tremendously improved your and my standard of living in America. All championed by liberals.
The compass is there, but not visible to all. The liberal message has indeed been muddled by a campaign of hate and misinformation spewed by the bitter post-Nixon right. One thing you have to say about the right wing, they're relentless in their constant attacks on the left, even to the point of demonizing the liberal label. What they won't acknowledge is just how bad off we'd be but for the aforementioned efforts by liberals to move the power from corporations to individuals - an ongoing battle.
Good to see you back, Jewel. You are one of the more reasoned and civil rightists here. |
