Posted on 12/02/2007 7:54:18 AM PST by shrinkermd
After decades on the political sidelines, liberalism is making a comeback. Polls show plunging support for Republicans and their brand of conservatism among young, independent voters and Latinos. But what kind of liberalism is emerging as the dominant voice in the Democratic Party?
Well, it isn't your father's liberalism, the ideology that defended the interests and values of the middle and working classes. The old liberalism had its flaws, but it also inspired increased social and economic mobility, strong protections for unions, the funding of a national highway system and a network of public parks, and the development of viable public schools. It also invented Social Security and favored a strong foreign policy.
Today's ascendant liberalism has a much different agenda. Call it "gentry liberalism." It's not driven by the lunch-pail concerns of those workers struggling to make it in an increasingly high-tech, information-based, outsourcing U.S. economy -- though it does pay lip service to them.
Rather, gentry liberalism reflects the interests and values of the affluent winners in the era of globalization and the beneficiaries of the "financialization" of the economy. Its strongholds are the tony neighborhoods and luxurious suburbs in and around New York, Washington, Boston, San Francisco and West Los Angeles.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
It is time for our political leaders, and presidential candidates, to come up with new, bold and potentially successful solutions to our myriad problems.
Further this affirmative approach must recogniz who are base actually is.
The LA Times is a partisan communist rag.
Who cares what they say.
They’ll be out of business in 10 years. Tops.
If I'm not mistaken, this was Eisenhower's baby from day one.
Boy,that's for sure.The ratio of Range Rovers,Porche SUV's and Prius's that I see (every day) in the western suburbs of Boston (million-dollar-plus houses are the norm in the area) sporting "Bush Lied,Millions Died" or "1.20.09" bumper stickers versus those sporting "W" or "Support Our Troops" bumper stickers runs about 30:1 in favor of the "Bush Lied" ones.
Well, the public schools aren't quite "viable" yet, let's throw some more money at them. As for social security, the author rightfully claims this as a liberal accomplishment but why the hell are they proud of a communistic, failed system?
I’d say the “reagan democrats” are up for grabs, including the traditional black voters that are socially conservative, and may be open to true conservative solutions such as school choice, and free market economics..!
The lowly four-letter word assists the Gentry Liberals substantially in expressing their feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelings. Like liberals of long ago the Gentry Liberals are addicted to OPM when it comes to general support for anyone outside the clan -- or is that, klan.
“Today’s ascendant liberalism has a much different agenda. Call it “gentry liberalism.” It’s not driven by the lunch-pail concerns of those workers struggling to make it in an increasingly high-tech, information-based, outsourcing U.S. economy — though it does pay lip service to them.”
The gentry liberal is an elitist who never does anything that will not ultimately serve themselves.
They are pro amnesty: They need their underpaid help to keep their appearances and lifestyles.
They are pro entitlements: Better the middle class pays to keep their help happy. Not only that but they have come to believe that they are entitled...and see no other perspective.
They are pro tax hikes: This one makes me laugh as those elitest have so many tax shelters and loop hole accountants that the tax hikes will probably never have any effect on their incomes.
Although they pay lip service to the poor and the trodden they prefer they stay poor. They relish the distinction in classes as it only serves to show they are better.
They are out of touch with reality as they live set apart from the regular folk and have no clue what daily life is like for the majority of people. They have no intention to find out either.
When they speak of two Americas they are really saying ...we intend to keep it that way.
Polls show plunging public school brainwashing in class warfare and enlarging indentured constituencies is quite effective at building a democratic power base.
Why Republicans fall for supporting this mess is beyond belief.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
If I'm not mistaken, this was Eisenhower's baby from day one
Just liberals taking credit for conservatives doing the jobs that liberals won't do. Like reforming welfare and balancing the budget in the 90's.
Are you sure that they are not funded by the Marks of Soros? Or is it millions of Euros now?
They don’t like being called elitists. That is one term they haven’t preempted.
How does John Edwards possibly qualify as an alternative?
Liberals like Edwards make use of populist arguments because it's so hard to actually change things in Washington, that a little rabble-rousing is permissable.
You could see that with Clinton as well. There's no chance that they'll ever be called to account for promises made to the "little guy."
And while today's liberalism is far from "your father's liberalism" (assuming your father was a liberal), you can see similar developments across the political spectrum.
Talking heads tend to be careerists who share opinions with other upwardly mobile types, rather than with working stiffs, whose interests go unrepresented.
I don't ever see us winning places like Manhattan or Marin County, but, being as I live in the heart of affluent suburbia, there is no reason why we should cede places like Bucks County, PA to the Dems.
Note that elitism is only bad when based on unjustifiable claims to excellence. Even populist movements need elites to lead them and to counter elites in other factions.
Really? If the GOP loses this time, the media, the politicians, the world will count it as a complete repudiation of CONSERVATISM.
Like it or not, no way a Hillary/Obama or Edwards/Obama or whatever administration would send a signal that what Americans want is less taxes and more border security, etc.
For crying out loud. GHW Bush was more NWO/clubhouse-conservative than anyone in the race today. So why didn't 8 years of Clinton I do exactly what you're promising now? Why didn't that teach America/GOP a lesson and get us all running in a conservative direction.
Letting go of the steering wheel when you're headed toward the ditch will NOT get you back on the road to success.
LA TIMES....give me a break....I can’t believe this is even looked at thinking it’s TRUTH...it’s full of crap!!!! If you believe this...you’ll believe any dribble fed to you by the commie press.
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