Democrats
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines a liberal as "one who is open-minded or not strict in the observance of orthodox, traditional, or established forms or ways," and "an advocate or adherent of liberalism especially in individual rights."
Synonyms for liberal listed in the Merriam Webster Thesaurus include: free, generous, munificent, openhanded, and unsparing. They site these related words: advanced, broad-minded, progressive, radical, tolerant, exuberant, prodigal, benevolent, charitable, and philanthropic.
Here are some of the contrasted words listed: rigid, miserly, stingy, tight, tightfisted; meager, scanty, dictatorial, doctrinaire, dogmatic, oracular; conservative and reactionary."
For far too long, we in the Democratic Party have lost our way. We have forgotten our roots. I hope that through the death of Senator Paul Wellstone, his wife, his daughter, and staffers, we find our way back to our core beliefs.
If we truly love Senator Wellstone's political and more importantly his personal beliefs, then we owe it to him and his memory to carry on the torch of liberalism, with our heads held high. That is what he and other liberal leaders such as John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. would have expected us to do.
In many campaigns our candidates are vilified for being liberals, and frankly this tactic is where we have to grab the bull by the horns and connect with everyone out there, that being a liberal is not a bad thing. It's something to be celebrated and embraced. After all, the term liberal comes from the root word liberty. Something that has been lost in this country for a very long time. Liberty for every man, woman and child. No matter, their walk or way of life.
When Senator Tom Harkin shouted over and over to the thousands gathered at Senator Wellstone's memorial service, that Paul was a real "DFL liberal" The emphasis was on liberal. And by his statement it was a badge of honor to be worn and celebrated. He kept chanting on and on and with more reverberation coming from the thousands there, liberal became, LIBERAL! That to me, is what Senator Paul Wellstone's true legacy is all about.
Senator Wellstone's definition of liberal is where everyone matters. He refuted the big money and political influence in Washington and back home in Minnesota, and in this day and age, that is something to be celebrated not vilified by those who choose to do so.
Living in New York, I can tell you that Senator Wellstone was my senator too. Because the votes he cast in the senate were representative of my beliefs, and championed the liberal cause. When people are elected to the office of senate, their constituents are from all walks of life and from every corner of this great land of ours.
Yes, even conservative senators are your senators as well, because their votes effect the direction that this country will go. When a vote by them goes against yours, it is up to you to contact them, and demand better leadership. Liberal leadership.
Senator Wellstone would have challenged all of us to do so. We are the people, and our power does matter. That was his legacy. The powerless over the powerful.
Perhaps with Paul's heavenly guidance, we the people can become the powerful and take back our country from those who have polluted our American way.
When the numerous speakers talked about his life, and the life of his wife, daughter and staffers, they did so eloquently and joyously. Paul and those that perished on that flight were shown for who they truly were. They were champions of the people. We must never forget that.
They were not the villans those on the right wing would have us believe. They were you and me. Raising our children, working within our communities, coaching wrestling teams, cheering their children on at soccer matches, going to work and being upstanding citizens in our country.
Isn't that what America is all about? Leading good and productive lives even in the face of adversity?
Paul most certainly did and died with his liberal beliefs intact -- not compromised. That is to be celebrated, and one we must not run from even in the face of adversity. If you are a liberal, stand up and proudly say, "Yes I am! So what?" Paul did.
It is up to all of us in these last days of this election to reclaim the true meaning of liberalism and honor Paul by doing so. We must do so for Paul and the countless people within our country who have not been represented in Washington.
As I watched the broadcast, there to be seen were many notable Democrats present, such as Bill and Hillary Clinton, Al and Tipper Gore, Tom Daschle, Terry McAuliffe, Edward Kennedy and many more. But, the camera also caught the many faces of those less notable, and the very people Paul represented to the best of his ability. People like you and me.
Senator Wellstone, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being here, leading us and truly doing God's work here on Earth. You truly listened. I think had God been a senator, he would have been a liberal one at that.
Lets do it for Paul!
You can contact Mary MacElveen at xmjmac@optonline.net
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