Liberal interpretation

As we approach another election, we are already hearing all the negative commentary related to liberalism and liberals. Unfortunately, some liberals, fearful of the label now, like to refer to themselves as progressives. They should be as proud of the liberal label as I am. The following are statements made by those who could be called the spokesmen for true liberalism:

President Franklin Roosevelt on what he referred to as his liberal party: “As new conditions and problems arise beyond the power of men and women to meet as individuals, it becomes the duty of government itself to find new remedies with which to meet them.”

Philosopher John Dewey: “Government should regularly intervene to help equalize conditions between the wealthy and the poor, between the overprivileged and the underprivileged.”

Thomas Jefferson, who many refer to as the original liberal, on the role of government: “Educate and inform the whole mass of the people. . . . They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.”

These principles on the role of government in relation to the people are what liberalism is about. Those people who choose to demean liberalism need to spend some library time to understand the nuances of political philosophy. Only then will they appreciate the positive contributions of liberalism to this county’s history.

BOB WATERS Hot Springs Village