Was it Easier and More Sensible to be "Socialist" or "Liberal" Decades Ago Than Now?

[jbgusa]

Originally Posted by elyn02

That's fine but are these liberal statements or conservative statements?

I don't know. Politically I'm pretty far to the left of liberals though.

[elyn02]

Originally Posted by jbgusa

I don't know. Politically I'm pretty far to the left of liberals though.

I see. I tend to vote republican at the local and state level but I thought my initial statement was more liberal and yours more conservative.

[petch751]

There is classic liberalism and there is today's liberalism. Very different. Look it up op.

[craigiri]

Originally Posted by jbgusa

being relatively conservative makes a difference. No conservative in his right mind would advocate the kind of working conditions and deprivations of rights that were typical during that era.

So, while Jack London presented himself as a "socialist" in this days it was hard for any decent person to be "pro-capitalist"; that meant supporting the Rockefellers, Andrew Carnegie and some almost indescribable brutes.Even in the days of the "I Have a Dream" speech, being "against" what Martin Luther King was advocating was almost unconscionable.

It was far easier to support those "left-wing causes" than transgender bathrooms. The debates are so much harder now.

Oh, don't worry - the Right was against the CCC and stuff like that big time. They created the Depression but were against actions needed to help people after it occurred.

The debates are still the same. Don't get sidetracked by the amount of drivel being spewed. In the bigger picture, the Right is STILL against the very basics of modern progressive action. This would be spelled out as those topics that truly involve most ALL of us.

A quick look.

The New Deal
Republicans are still railing against most parts of it today...even as they themselves gladly take the money and benefits.
Minimum wage, banking controls, social security and much more were involved there. Unions also....

The Square Deal
"three basic goals: conservation of natural resources, control of corporations, and consumer protection"

Republicans, as you know, are not into conservation, control of corporation OR consumer protection.

Don't get waylaid by shiny objects. It's much easier to be a liberal today because it's become very obvious that inequality breeds the type of nation most of us don't want.

[craigiri]

Originally Posted by petch751

There is classic liberalism and there is today's liberalism. Very different. Look it up op.

I would say the ACLU, which the right demonizes, is classic liberalism.

Items that align with Teddy R. and FDR are also classic liberalism...fair pay for a hard days work, etc.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Troyfan

In one way it was easier. Progressives and liberals had a base, the USSR. The homeland of socialism.

It supported progressives all over the world with money, guns, advisors, etc. .

What?! The US has always had liberals, and conservatives. The Progressive movement began independently of the Russian Revolution. The idea that it was supported by money, guns and advisors from Russia is beyond ludicrous; it's some kind of ignorant right-wing mythology, or perhaps your own personal misguided theory. Just FYI, the USSR was anathema to liberals. You really are stumbling around in the dark, sorry.