Periodically, we hear conservatives (in speeches, on radio shows, on internet fora) give the lecture about how we should stop calling them "liberals," or "progressives." Usually, folks agree, applaud, etc. But we go on calling them liberals and progressives.
We will continue to be handicapped until we take this seriously. We say they are violating the basic human right to self defense. We say they are wrecking prosperity by their assault on private property. We say they are destroying black America with welfare and soft bigotry. We say they are creating an underclass of Hispanic illegals. We say they are turning a blind eye to the murder of embryos. We accuse them of all manner of evils, from persecuting smokers to the federal tyranny over local school districts.
But we keep calling them liberals and progressives.
In case after case, we all agree that they are working to pull down specific American institutions, American traditions, American prosperity and American principles. Yet when some dare to call them anti-American, the more "responsible" members of our own number object to this as inflammatory language. No, we dare not question their patriotism. That would be out of bounds. Never mind that their campaign to change America into un-America is very real.
Thanks to the efforts of Limbaugh the term "liberal" has come to mean everything and hence nothing in particular.
What exactly did Limbaugh do to "liberal"?
