Δαφνη Ευτυχια Αρθουρος

Well, speaking as a certified leftist (a Democratic Socialist), I must say that I find latter-day liberals to be a little timid. Part of the problem is that public discourse has shifted so far to the right that you don't need to be very far to the left to count as a liberal (
these days a liberal is someone who prefers lethal injection to a good, old fashioned public lynching); and the L-word has been so effectively demonized that few people are willing to accept the label, even if they do qualify.

Love Me, I'm a Liberal
(update by Jello Biafra, original by Phil Ochs)

I cried when they shot John Lennon
Tears ran down my spine
And I cried when I saw "JFK"
As though I'd lost a father of mine
But Malcolm X and Ice-T had it coming
They got what they asked for this time

CHORUS
So love me, love me, love me
I'm a liberal

I go to pro-choice rallies
Recycle my cans and jars
I'll honk if you love the Dead
Hope those funny grunge bands become stars
But don't talk about revolution
That's going a little bit too far

I cheered when Clinton was chosen
My faith in the system reborn
I'll do anything to save our schools
If my taxes ain't too much more
And I love blacks and gays and Latinos
As long as they don't move next door

Rush Limbaugh and the L.A.P.D.
Should all hang their heads in shame
I can't understand where they're at
Arsenio should set them straight
But if Neigborhood Watch doesn't know you
I hope the cops take your name

Yeh, I read the New Republic an'
Rolling Stone and Mother Jones too
If I vote it's a Democrat
With a sensible economy view
But when it comes to terrorist Arabs
There's no one more red, white and blue

Once I was young and had an attitude
Stickers covered the car I drove in
Even went on some direct actions
When there weren't rent-a-cops to be seen
Ah, but now I've grown older and wiser
And that's why I'm turning you in

I'm so often baffled by what sort of very basic principles - some well established centuries ago AFAIK - some people in the US seem to get seen as bordering on subversive for holding.
It's quite startling to me as an outsider occasionally peeking in.