The so-called L-word (and other smear tactics in United States politics)

Dating back to Governor Michael Dukakis's (D-Mass.) ill-fated presidential run in 1988 (or even earlier), it seems that the word liberal, used to describe a certain set of policies and ideology espoused largely by the Democratic Party and other parties as well, has become demonized in the American psyche. Formerly an innocent word used to describe a political ideology, it is now the political equivalent of a swear word, an insult.

Conservatives use the word "liberal" as an insult quite frequently. One only needs to see a sampling of the threads on this very forum; I won't name names but I'm sure the people I have in mind know who they are, and are quite proud of it besides. Conservatives are using the word as a weapon now against presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Senator John F. Kerry (Mass.) in the ongoing election season. In fact, they've even decided to turn "Massachusetts" into a swear word, and tacking it onto "liberal" to create a double-edged weapon of some kind. I personally do not understand this strategy of alienating an entire state to score political points, but I'm sure the Republican National Committee does.

The greatest travesty is that liberals themselves have been scared silly by the word formerly used to describe themselves. Now they use the word progressive. They really mean the same thing; it's just through absurd semantics that "progressive" has ended up being a euphemism for "liberal". Senator Kerry, for one, has dodged questions about his liberal-ness. While this may be shrewd politically, it is a shame that that sentiment may very well be true.

Why is "liberal" a dirty word in U.S. politics? I don't see any conservatives being slammed by ideological name. Occasionally, a Democrat might sprinkle the words "right-wing" into an attack on a Republican, but they are usually mixed into more devastating insults, so their effect is weakened. And it can't be because liberals are unpopular. To an extent, President George Washington was a liberal (he did support greater centralized government) as were Presidents Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and, yes, John F. Kennedy. (I know I'm going to raise a hornet's nest by including President Kennedy in that list of liberals, but he was, face it.)

Anyway, this thread is a discussion on the "L-word" and its political significance, as well as on other smear and mudslinging tactics used in United States politics in the past, present, and - why not? - future.

So, without further ado, the big question:

Why is "liberal" a political dirty word?

And while we're at it, why is "Massachusetts" now a political dirty word?

KK EDIT: Let's try it in the other thread.

 

Because modern day 'liberalism' isn't reflective of traditional American values. The liberals you mentioned in the past have nothing in common with the modern variety.

Much of the 'liberal' ideology is centered upon socialistic and secularistic ideology, not something popular on a nationwide basis.

Therefore, liberal has become a dirty word because of what modern liberals have done to it.

There is a thread on this already, I believe.

Right vs. Left - Understanding the 'other side' (and decency in political discourse) is the thread you're looking for.

 

Because the corporate and religious right controlled republican party(along with the conservative wing of the democratic party) use fear and disinformation to futher thier facist agenda of corporate globalization and moral ideology. Through constant attacks by the corporate controlled media, the ideas of true humanity, freedom, and undertanding have been replaced by ridicule, fear, materialisim, and the acceptance of a playcated self-obsessed society. By pushing these views as the "american" way(traditional american values- see above) and denouncing all others it allows a small wealthy minority and thier populist following the ability to rule over a brainwashed, apathetic, and disenfranchised majority.

In other words: LIBERAL is considered a dirty word because the apperatus of power(the matrix) wants and needs it that way.

Or the majority of americans who dont consider themselves ridiculously wealthy or religious zealots might WAKE UP and change things to a more fair and just system.



ALLTOOEASY

 

It's funny that you label "liberal" as "progressive", while in the country (Netherlands) where I live it is more in line with "conservative"...