Liberalism: the new Communism

[dufus_cackle]

Did I miss something? When did being called liberal become a bad thing? The word has been politicised to the point where it doesn't really mean anything anymore as far as I can tell, or if it does it now has nothing to do with the actual meaning (read: dictionary definition) of the term. that being

Comments

[thus_spoke_zara]

Couldn't communists has contributed to this country too at some point, had they not been vilified?

most of the labour rights in place today were initiated by communist/socialist labour unions. (incidentally, that is part of the reason labour unions get such a bad rep: their roots are commie/soc.)

read more about the contributions communism gifted to the usa at the communist party usa's website: http://www.cpusa.org/

regarding the politicisation of the word liberal: that word is nearly impotent, it has been so bastardised. i don't even use it in a political sense excepting only the categorisation of a very specific type of feminism.

liberal feminism: the use of the legal system to effect social change in the name of gender equality.

to be liberal: to identify with a political ideal supporting tolerance and gradual change in moral, religious, and political matters.

liberalism: a political ideology that rejects authoritarian government and defends freedom of speech, association, and religion, and the right to own property.

the meanings of liberal and liberalism are contradictory, if framed against an understanding of the conservative right's ideals. they are also contradictory if framed against an understanding of the progressive left's ideals.

chuck the word liberal. use progressive. and use it proudly.

[dufus_cackle]

I think what I really meant was, imagine the contributions that communists could have made to our society had they not been vilified.. In other words, excluding any group basically ignores any positive influence they may have, even if you disagree with their fundamental ideology. You know what I think of patriarchy in regards to its effect on sexuality, this is the same sort of idea.

Thanks for the clarification though, I'm largely in agreement, as per usual..

-I

[thus_spoke_zara]

ultimately, agreement is irrelevant: communists made some vital contributions to the u.s.

and the ruling class has always tried to keep its opposition at bay by discrediting said opposition. it's a famous and transparent tactic, to a discerning eye like yours. (but don't be fooled into thinking progressives or socialists or communists are any less prone to this behaviour. the word right in its right-wing context is equally as loathsome to progressives as is liberal to conservatives.)

hear beyond the slander of words. choose words that resonate for their meaning, for their political connotation, for their intent. but above all, understand why these words are used. investigate them. if there is an ideological conflict, face it.

the most important component of communication in this existential manifestation we call society is that one determine the objective value of one's vocabulary. once that is in place, when one is challenged or when becomes possessed of the desire to challenge, that person is on solid ground.

though most of us are on soft ground, at best. also to everyone's disadvantage: politics is little but illusion and flux. a house of smoke and mirrors, to employ a trite metaphor.