November 15, 2020
Sunday AM

Election years bring out the worst in people, the name calling, the labeling, the grouping into categories. In our own community this happens with some frequency. One of the most common I heard being thrown around was the term “liberal”. If you didn’t get the memo, for some it is the new community synonym for “evil”. I learned of people who based their entire vote off of HEARING, simply hearing, that someone was a “liberal” in a political ad. No further research was needed for that person to be swayed from voting for the person the attack ad was aimed at. It is such a tainted word that if someone labels you as such, your entire voting history, your ethics, your hard work, your ACTUAL beliefs, it all goes out the window! It’s used so broadly and without discretion, that when talking to folks who like to dole this label out, there is little consensus about what it means, except “evil”, “bad”, etc..

For the sake of fun, let’s take a look at what this term actually means.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Liberalism could mean one of the following:

A movement in modern Protestantism emphasizing intellectual liberty and the spiritual and ethical content of Christianity.

A theory in economics emphasizing individual freedom from restraint and usually based on free competition, the self-regulating market, and the gold standard. 

A political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, and the autonomy of the individual and standing for the protection of political and civil liberties. 

Wow. Scary, and so, so evil (pardon the sarcasm, it runs thick in my veins).

When talking with someone who is a self proclaimed “liberal”, it was defined as “giving a [poo], thinking we can always do better, and believing the government should protect individual’s rights.” Again, that is scary stuff. 

If you are basing you entire vote upon name calling, please, in the very least, understand what the name means. Secondly, if you are going to use this term to slander someone, perhaps think again, because it isn’t as slanderous as you think and therefore isn’t having the desired effect. 

More than ever, we need people who can bridge the gap, who are less concerned with partisan politics, and are more concerned with improving our communities and the lives of our citizens. Enough of the name calling. We can do better! Wait, does saying that make me a “liberal”? Perhaps to some, but thankfully labels don’t define me, or my political beliefs — nor should you let them define you/yours. 

I love you all. Stay hydrated. 

Emily Chapel
Ketchikan, Alaska

About:

Editor's Note:

The text of this letter was NOT edited by the SitNews Editor.

Received November 12, 2020 - Published November 15, 2020

Related Viewpoint:

SitNews ©2020
Stories In The News
Ketchikan, Alaska

Articles & photographs that appear in SitNews are considered protected by copyright and may not be reprinted without written permission from and payment of any required fees to the proper sources. E-mail your news & photos to editor@sitnews.us Photographers choosing to submit photographs for publication to SitNews are in doing so granting their permission for publication and for archiving. SitNews does not sell photographs. All requests for purchasing a photograph will be emailed to the photographer.