The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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October 27, 2006

Many liberal ideas of past today's moderate values

We hear the term “liberal” used in such a derogatory manner so often. I believe the term liberal needs some explaining.

A liberal believes that our lives can and should be better in the future. A conservative believes that things are as good as they can be, except for a few more tax cuts at the top.

Today’s moderate values come from the liberal ideas of the past.

Women can now vote and own property (they are no longer considered to be property). Slavery was once considered proper by a large portion of the country and many of our spiritual leaders said it was moral.

At one time in that past, a person who participated in a cooperative business could be jailed.

In the past, workers who were injured or killed on the job were cast aside like broken machines. Children were purchased from orphanages to work in the low tunnels of coal mines. Do these things bring to mind OSHA and Worker’s Comp and child labor laws?

Social Security and Medicaid have replaced the poor farm where the poor, old and ailing were once warehoused.

At one time education was only for the wealthy, but liberals thought that everyone should have opportunities.

At one time, banks were not safe places to keep your money. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp has changed that.

At one time, many insurance companies and commercial interests could steal from us with no remedy available. The state Attorney General’s Office has given us much needed protection.

Liberals believe that changes, like those above, were based on good moral values. They fought hard for these changes. I’m proud to be a liberal.

Malcolm Brandt

Madelia

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