Where Have All the Liberals Gone?

Where have all the liberals gone?  Has anyone noticed the Democrats and liberals are now calling themselves “Progressives.”  In these economic hard times and high unemployment, the term “liberal” doesn’t quite have the right ring.  The term implies freewheeling, free spending, free love, free drugs, and a general inattentiveness to things in general.  Besides the term progressive implies that we are forward thinking, on the ball and marching in the vanguard of history. 

I doubt that many voters, at least in this election, will be fooled by the wolf slipping into sheep’s clothing.  However, it’s an interesting ploy for the new upcoming crop of young voters.  After all, who wouldn’t want to be progressive; to be otherwise would to be against progress, a Luddite.   That brings up the question as to whether the Democrats will be able to shake the liberal label. 

Perhaps it’s time for the Republicans to also engage in rebranding.  Perhaps they could become the Super Progressives or Ultra Super Progressives or …

In the long run, the term progressive may be a non-starter.  If one looks to the history of rebranding, more often than not it doesn’t work.  Ultimately, for those who vote, it comes down to issues such as the economy.  Besides, we have a living example in the White House of someone who campaigned on gimmicky slogans, but it now facing the fact that his liberals have changed their name and gone into hiding.

 

Comments

[Jack]

If the progressives don't get this economy turned around soon, they'll have to change their name again.

[Rook]

People will become aware that the terms "liberal" and "progressive" are interchangeable. The Republicans had better avoid any convolution of "progressive" or risk getting tarred by the same brush as the democrats.

[Ernie]

Glenn Beck has probably done more to educate the public on the sameness of liberal vs progressive, and how the term progressive came to be. That's probably why Soros wants to get him silenced. I have mixed feelings about Beck. I love his message but sometimes wish there were a better messenger.

[Elaine of Kalilily]

There are plenty of us liberals (by any other name)out there, and we're going to vote tomorrow. The Rally to Restore Sanity in DC on Saturday drew twice as many people as Beck's fear-filled effort. I worked as a staff member for a state legislator (Republican) decades ago, and I know first hand how politics really works (or doesn't work). What we need is another FDR-type New Deal to save this country, as it did before. If only!