Democratic Party Ninth District Nelson Thomas

Are you liberal or conservative? This question will likely elicit a quick and definite response from most people. There has been a concerted effort to promote certain definitions of these terms over the past several years, and as a result many people have an erroneous perception of them.

Conservative was practically a derogatory term in 1964, and liberal was in 2004. Neither should be. They are simply a different way of addressing certain issues, with both sides wanting the best for our country. There are some nuts hanging on the outer branches of the left and the right; however we must be careful not to define either side by their extremes. The majority of opinions hover somewhere near the middle.

I hold some positions that many would consider liberal, some that would be called conservative, and many that would fall in between. In this article I will concentrate on the definition of liberal, because that is the term, and sometimes accusation, that is most often aimed at democrats.

Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines the word liberal this way: "Not narrow or contracted in mind; not selfish" and "not bound by orthodox tenets or established forms in political or religious philosophy; independent in opinion; not conservative; friendly to great freedom in the institution or administration of government...." Liberal is also defined as generous, and "implies largeness of spirit in giving, judging, acting, etc."

The definition does not sound bad. John F. Kennedy put it this way: "What do our opponents mean when they apply to us the label "Liberal"? If by liberal they mean, as they want people to believe, someone who is soft in his policies abroad, who is against local government, and who is unconcerned with the taxpayer's dollar, then the record of this party and it's members demonstrate that we are not that kind of liberal. But, if by a liberal they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people - their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties - someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad. If that is what they mean by liberal, then I am proud to say I'm a liberal.

George Washington phrased it as follows: "As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality."

Perhaps it would better serve us to ascertain what things a man or woman believes in and pay less attention to the label their opponent wishes to apply to them. Watch their words and votes in regard to economic policies, how to treat our citizens, how to address our allies, what they do to protect the constitution, how willing they are to discuss the issues, and how open they believe government should be. Study the candidates objectively and keep an open mind. Let your decision be your own.

Nelson Thomas is a native of north Georgia. He has owned his on businesses, worked in agriculture, construction, food service, banking, and real estate. He has been around politics all his life and is currently the Chair of the Democratic Party of Union County.