Defense Of Liberalism And Progressivism: All Major Reforms Brought About By The Political Left!

Lawrence O’Donnell on THE LAST WORD on MSNBC this evening utilized an episode of the old series, THE WEST WING, to defend liberalism and progressivism, demonstrating what all people of those persuasions know, but sometimes forget to use in defense against conservatives: that ALL major reforms in this country have come about due to those defined as on the political left!

Liberals and Progressives, (interchangeable names) brought about the following, whether Democrats or Republicans:

Anti Slavery Movement
Woman Suffrage
Social Justice Reforms
Labor Reforms
Voting Rights
Civil Rights Laws
Social Security
Medicare and Medicaid
Environmental Reforms
Consumer Reforms
Women’s Rights Movement
Gay Rights Movement
Disability Rights Movement
Immigration Reform
Anti Vietnam War Movement

What can conservatives claim, except to help the rich get richer; help corporations monopolize; undermine labor; exploit and condemn the poor; support religious groups that wish to restrict human rights; work against consumer rights and environmental regulation; deny voting rights; support slavery and segregation of blacks; deny woman equality in all ways; exploit immigrants and deny them equality; deny the “safety net”; work against equal rights for gays and the disabled; and support military adventures overseas that enrich corporations.

Would any conservative wish to deny the above? If so, write and comment on this post!

2 comments on “Defense Of Liberalism And Progressivism: All Major Reforms Brought About By The Political Left!

  1. Maggie February 5, 2012 8:48 pm

    I have found the characterization of Liberal ideology by those on the right is framed by their conservative ideology and so is not objective. I find it betrays an apparent inability to understand the views of another group from their perspective. This limits conservatives to interpreting the world through a very narrow lens. This has been evidenced not only by the past year of the draconian changes in state laws by republican governors as well as in the rhetoric of the current clown train of republican candidates.

  2. Suzanne March 22, 2012 5:25 pm

    Dear Progressive Professor:
    I am a mother of five. I am a student studying to become a social sciences teacher.
    I am currently heavily involved in writing lesson plans and I have a great desire to present both viewpoints of history, conservative and progressive, to my students. I ran onto your website in an effort to add to my understanding of the Great Depression from a progressive perspective.
    The interesting thing that I have found is that both sides sound the same! You both use the same rhetoric and both make claims to being the catalyst to certain events in history and some of the those are even the same. How could both sides be right?
    I suppose I will have to do the same thing that I am expecting my students to do, read and study both sides and then weigh the information with things that I know are true. Consult primary sources. Understand that there is a difference between the truth of what happened in history and what was actually recorded, by whom and why.
    I appreciate your site and will continue to consult it to get the “progressive” perspective.
    I personally do not agree with the progressive agenda, but I respect candid, thoughtful debate and especially people that actually admit their progressive leanings openly. I am not a us and them kind of person. I know what I believe and I like to think I am capable of entertaining a reasonable debate on issues. As a teacher I realize the value of presenting both sides and allowing others to come to their own conclusions.
    The worst thing we could do as Americans whether progressive or conservative, or what have you, is to accept being lied to. The truth will come out eventually and isn’t it nice to have it upfront? I think we can all agree that we don’t like to be lied to.
    I recently enjoyed a book called How Do You Kill 11 Million People? Why The Truth Matters More Than You Think, by Andy Andrews. It is a short, fresh, non-partisan take on history and the importance of knowing the truth behind policy and leadership in our country.
    Worth a look for anyone seeking to make wise choices as a citizen of the country to which we belong.
    Thank you for your blog. It will be a great asset.

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