What does it mean to say that someone is a liberal? What does it mean to say that someone is a conservative? What does it mean to say that someone is a progressive? Can a liberal be to some degree a conservative while also being a liberal? After all, what are Blue Dogs anyway? Can someone be a conservative while also being to some degree more liberal? What is John McCain politically? Is he a liberal conservative, or a conservative liberal? Can’t conservative be just as progressive as liberals? Or, is there something about progressivism that is mutually exclusive of conservativeism? Was not President Lincoln a Conservative while also being a Progressive? And what about Libertarian’s, what does it means to be a Libertarian and where do Libertarian’s fit into the political fabric? Congressman John Paul seems like a likable guy. If he is a Libertarian, Libertarianism can’t be all that bad, or is it? And what are Democrats or Republicans anyway? Are Democrats and Republicans some sort of sub-category of homo-sapiens? I think President George Washington is rolling in his grave!
Forgive me if it seems as though I have failed political elementary school, but if words have meanings and meanings have words, then I think one should know what these words mean. What does it mean to be a Liberal, a Conservative, a Progressive, a Democrat, a Republican, a Libertarian, or for that matter a Socialist, a Communist, or even a religious fundamentalist? Perhaps you know what it is that you think and believe, and perhaps you know why you believe and think as you do, but I do NOT; at least I don’t think so at times! So it is with the thought in mind of seeking answers to these and other questions needing answers if I am to know what it is that I think and believe and why I think and believe what I do. I invite you to follow along with me in my journey as I Observe and Examine our national heritage and the events of the times in order that I might better understand the times.
D. M. Elmquist