For a quarter of a century, self-appointed pundits have announced the death of liberalism. Major media outlets point to Republican victories in five of the last seven Presidential elections as proof. Republican candidates in close elections invariably try to tag their Democratic opponents as "liberal", in the belief that they will pick up votes.The pundits, the media, and the Republicans are all wrong.
Americans believe in helping those who need help. Americans believe in making a better life for our children, instead of burdening them with debt. Americans believe in creating good jobs, with decent benefits, for the middle and working classes. Americans believe the opportunities should be available for all, not just the privileged few.
News flash: These are liberal values.
Conservatives believe that people should be left to fend for themselves. If they can't pull themselves up by their own bootstraps, well, that's just too bad. Conservatives believe that opportunities should be limited to those lucky enough to be born into wealthy or connected families. Conservatives believe that by denying the middle class any chance of advancement, by keeping the status quo, things will be just fine.
So why are the conservatives winning?
Very simply, liberals fell asleep. For over thirty years conservatives have been organizing, creating and funding think tanks like the Heritage Foundation and the Cato Institute, raising money in record numbers, and finding right-wing candidates. Liberals, on the other hand, first were shocked at the Reagan victory, then outraged that he and the extremist rhetoric he and his closest supporters spouted were gaining ground, then racing around trying to win the next election rather than forming a long-term plan.
But the times, they are a-changin'.
The ultimate symbol of extremist right-wing ideology is personified in George W. Bush. His actions, his words, even his body language show just how insipid the neocon dogma is. And Americans are waking up to the truth.
It will be a long, grinding process. Most people pay more attention to their navel than to politics. It will take a concerted communication effort, combined with a new focus on finding and encouraging the kind of liberals who can win a political argument both in the capitol and on the airwaves. It will mean throwing out members of the old guard who stand in the way of progress.
Liberals will have to demonstrate both an understanding of the perils of arrogance and a readiness to lead. Once enough liberals are in position to lead, America will be ready to follow.
And then the pundits, the media, and even the Republicans will be forced to accept the fact that America is liberal after all.
Copyright 2006, Dan Jacoby
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