It is clear from a letter denouncing “liberals” in the Recorder’s Aug. 30 edition that the writer doesn’t personally know any liberals. I suppose he has formed his opinion of what a “liberal” is based on what the media, social or otherwise, has preached to him. He says liberals “denounce and ridicule” anyone whose opinion they disagree with, but denouncing and ridiculing an entire group of people is precisely what he has engaged in in this letter. To characterize an entire group of people with a few epithets is just silly — as silly as my saying, for instance, that all conservatives are ignorant, clearly not the case.
I am a liberal, and I do not “despise or loathe debate” as the letter writer says all liberals do — in fact, I love to debate ideas, and I would invite the writer to a reasoned debate, based on facts — real facts, that is, not “alternative facts” (there is, of course, no such thing as an “alternative fact”). I do not “denounce and ridicule” people whose opinions I disagree with. I invite them to explain to me why they believe as they do and if their argument is logical and well-reasoned and fits with my view of the world, I might even come to accept their belief.
A “liberal” by definition is one who respects and accepts behavior or opinions different from one’s own and is open to new ideas. Liberals believe in policies that are socially progressive and promote social welfare. They believe in individual rights and responsibilities, civil liberties, and democracy. Here’s what being a liberal means to me in addition to the dictionary definition: I believe in the rule of law. I believe that the purpose of government is to promote and protect the well-being of all its living citizens, regardless of their economic status, color, gender, or background; to protect the planet that our lives depend on; and to provide for basic needs of everyone. I believe that telling the truth and behaving honorably matter. I believe in justice and fairness. I believe in treating others with respect and expecting the same from them. I believe in right and wrong, and I expect our public officials to hold themselves to the same high standard of morality and ethics that I hold myself to. I suggest that the writer get out and talk with his neighbors who call themselves liberals. He might be pleasantly surprised.
Marion Griswold lives in Greenfield.