The 2008 presidential campaign will have historic implications. It was no ordinary election. Look at who is sitting in the Oval Office right now and you understand why.
But there's more to it than that. The election also signaled the reawakening of liberal politics, which has been under siege for 40 years. I actually place the rise of the conservative movement at the 1966 midterm elections, in which we first saw the crumbling of the New Deal coalition.
Ever since then, the term "liberal" has been a dirty word in American politics. And one of the worst things you can call someone is a "liberal elitist." Not only does it suggest that that someone is a liberal--which is bad enough--but it implies that they're a hypocrite, as well.
Enough of that. Let's put it out front. The liberal agenda has usually moved this country in the right direction. Let's be proud of it. If we're elitists, it's because we're out front on the issues. That's what this blog tries to be.
Movement conservatism would like to believe that what happened in 2008 was an aberration, that the country is fundamentally "conservative." I do not believe that. I think this country is fundamentally liberal. Sure, a lot of people like to say they're conservative until you try to cut their Medicare, their Social Security, or the educational programs that their kids get to take advantage of. This country is about progress and about letting everyone have an equal chance at success.
More often than not, liberalism advances that cause. If that makes those of us who believe in this philosophy "elitists," so be it.
