Right-Wing Nation
A scathing video piece from the New York Times recently came out criticizing “Liberal Hypocrisy” in Democratic strongholds’ failure to address key issues in their party’s platform. While it is a fairly damning report, it can be argued it doesn’t even really touch the surface. The very idea liberalism even exists in America, at least in government, is something that can be disputed.
What is liberalism even? It depends on who you ask. According to Merriam-Webster, the “Essential Meaning of liberalism” is as follows:
“Belief in the value of social and political change in order to achieve progress.”
Many may disagree on what counts as “progress”, but perhaps it’s safe to conclude policies that have not resulted in positive change for the average person would not qualify. Terms like “Neoliberal” and “Classical Liberal”, are really a misnomer and oxymoron, respectively. There is nothing “new” or “liberal” about the same tax-reducing, deregulatory policies that have been the rage in America for some half a century. Data clearly shows it has changed nothing but widen the gap between the rich and poor, certainly not progress for the majority of Americans.
Now compare that to Data from Western Europe, which has quite a, as many Americans might say, notorious reputation for high taxes, regulations, and social spending. Notice a difference?
What’s more interesting is that much of Europe has been controlled by the center-right for some time. Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union has been the driving force of Germany for the last 15 years and, indeed, most of its history post-World War II. Yet for decades, Germany has been at the forefront of renewable energy, tuition-free college, and a level of social liberalism even AOC hasn’t touched. For them, these aren’t “liberal” things, they’re just part of maintaining a free civil society.
Then there are the words of the infamous Milk Snatcher:
“The principle of adequate healthcare should be provided for all regardless of ability to pay must be the function of any arrangements for financing the [current…
