[EastCoastAmerican]

After some pondering, I have stumbled upon the US Democratic Party's largest flaw: they do not emphasize their "American-ness."

There is a notable undercurrent in American liberal culture of embracing the anti-establishment, of people who have legitimate grievances against the US government, such as the hippies during the Vietnam War. Unfortunately, some of these groups have often engaged in displays that come off as hating America and what it stands for. Anti-war protesters burned the American flag in the 60s, a symbol associated with liberty; Bill Maher often claims that most Americans are "fat, stupid, and lazy." Since both icons are associated with liberalism, an outside observer could come off with the impression that liberals have a low opinion of the United States.

American conservatives, by contrast, resort to flag-waving nationalism: Sean Hannity speaks of himself as "all-American" despite his sordid association with white supremacists and theocrats, both groups who care nothing for consistent equality, liberty, and democracy. Most country music fans are devout conservatives and incorporate American symbols into their art and decorations. Conservatives are also more likely to enjoy the Fourth of July more, according to a Harvard University Study.

This is a big weakness of the liberals: even hateful far-right figures view themselves as "pro-America, pro-family" rather than "anti-gay, anti-feminism, anti-whatever." Liberal groups need to establish their views as being consistent with American values and incorporate the stars and stripes more in their political displays and on TV.

Liberals can say they're for family values: how many gay children were kicked out of their own homes due to homophobic bigotry? How many families suffered when big corporations outsourced their jobs overseas to profit off of slave labor? How many single-parent households felt stigmatized when evangelical Christians talked of them as though they "failed" their children?

Liberals can say they're for liberty and equality: how many Muslim Americans were unjustly accused of terrorist sympathies after 9/11? How many of them were unjustly imprisoned without a trial due to the Patriot Act? How many evangelical Christian politicians used taxpayer money to fund their own religious institutions without giving benefits to other faith groups?

The liberals need to shout from the rooftops of Washington that it is not they who are out of touch with American principles: it is the people that wrap themselves in the Stars and Stripes while clutching a Bible in order to compensate for deep character flaws. When somebody like Ann Coulter or Glenn Beck says that they are tired of hearing the personal accounts of the families of 9/11 victims, does this give an image of a person that sympathizes with the plight of American families? When Bill O'Reilly insists that criticism of his views violates his First Amendment rights, does this sound like a person that really understands what's in the Constitution?

In short, the liberals need to "out-America" the John Birchers, the Birthers, the fundamentalist Christians, and all the other far-right figures. Don't let the extremists be the standard-bearers of flag-waving celebrations and American iconography.

[SpaciousBox]

Interesting.

As an observer overseas I can't really say I see anything like "American values" as being as obvious, and apparently conservative, as you mention. One of my American friends even described the country as the most dysfunctional family; no one really gets on, until someone takes a pot shot at cousin billy and suddenly they all unite. This seems fairly accurate, but also accepts the notion that Americans are very different from one side to the other - reflected in their political parties who are also very different. When considering this middle-ground however, it seems to be simply; defence of the realm, capitalism, and respect for the constitution. I may not be an American, but I know from personal experience that asking "what are American values?" gets you a different answer depending on what state your in, and even what part of town sometimes..

I find it interesting how you stumbled into the families hate trap. Supporting gays, doesn't mean you hate families, it literally means what it means; you support gay rights! I've always found it fascinating how so many people seem to move towards that assumption, possibly an impact of the right wing media mind. I'd imagine that the issues Liberal have then, is not their standing up for family values, but more the fact they don't contradict the (seemingly deliberate) misinterpretation of what they say. We've had a very similar issue here in the UK recently too; far too many people will believe what they read in the right wing - conservative agenda pushing - press. Naturally, I think this simply requires higher standards of education, but I'm a liberal.. I always think higher standards of education resolve these things..

Its possibly also worth making the distinction between respect for the flag, and the sort of nationalism that is supported by the far right. From the way you talk, I take it you approve of the pledge of allegiance and all that stuff that goes with it? Because generally speaking people I know view that as bit insane.. possibly bordering dangerously on something far more malicious.

I am very interested in the general view of "liberal" in America however. It wasn't that long ago that liberal meant "weak", or even "unconstitutional". Has that improved in modern times? or are they still considered to be a bit loony..

[EastCoastAmerican]

Interesting.

1: As an observer overseas I can't really say I see anything like "American values" as being as obvious, and apparently conservative, as you mention. One of my American friends even described the country as the most dysfunctional family; no one really gets on, until someone takes a pot shot at cousin billy and suddenly they all unite. This seems fairly accurate, but also accepts the notion that Americans are very different from one side to the other - reflected in their political parties who are also very different. When considering this middle-ground however, it seems to be simply; defence of the realm, capitalism, and respect for the constitution. I may not be an American, but I know from personal experience that asking "what are American values?" gets you a different answer depending on what state your in, and even what part of town sometimes..

2: I find it interesting how you stumbled into the families hate trap. Supporting gays, doesn't mean you hate families, it literally means what it means; you support gay rights! I've always found it fascinating how so many people seem to move towards that assumption, possibly an impact of the right wing media mind. I'd imagine that the issues Liberal have then, is not their standing up for family values, but more the fact they don't contradict the (seemingly deliberate) misinterpretation of what they say. We've had a very similar issue here in the UK recently too; far too many people will believe what they read in the right wing - conservative agenda pushing - press. Naturally, I think this simply requires higher standards of education, but I'm a liberal.. I always think higher standards of education resolve these things..

3: Its possibly also worth making the distinction between respect for the flag, and the sort of nationalism that is supported by the far right. From the way you talk, I take it you approve of the pledge of allegiance and all that stuff that goes with it? Because generally speaking people I know view that as bit insane.. possibly bordering dangerously on something far more malicious.

4: I am very interested in the general view of "liberal" in America however. It wasn't that long ago that liberal meant "weak", or even "unconstitutional". Has that improved in modern times? or are they still considered to be a bit loony..

1: The idea of "American values" is rather vague, but it tends to be associated with liberty (freedom of speech, of religion, of the press), democracy (every adult should get a say in the affairs of their government, and can elect their leaders), equality (treat people fairly, regardless of their race, social status, religion, etc.), and individualism (free-market system, emphasizing the individual over the group, the government has to answer to the people). Naturally these standards are hard to live up to, and American society has not always lived up to these principles. But I think that the most worthwhile goals are often the hardest to achieve. I think this Wikipedia article does a better job than my summary: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_the_United_States

2: The problem in the US is that many anti-gay hate groups use the term "family" in their titles (The American Family Association, Focus on the Family, Defend the Family, etc.) and present themselves to the public as organizations dedicated to helping families prosper. In reality, many of them are Fundamentalist Christian organizations instrumental in spreading false "science" about homosexuals to the American public: "homosexuals are pedophiles, they have no inhibition or self-control," stuff like that. They have been so vindictive in this regard that the Southern Poverty Law Center branded the AFA a hate group. In American political discourse, "family values" is usually associated with anti-gay rhetoric.

3: And that's the problem; respect for the flag and patriotism should not be associated with crazy conspiracy theorists and hate groups.

4: Liberals in America are associated with: feminism, secularism, increased regulation of big business, support for higher taxes on the rich, and support for welfare programs. Conservatives, by contrast, are associated with: free-market capitalism and minimal regulation in big business, support of a Christian-based value system (with a tendency towards Evangelical and Fundamentalist Christianity), tax breaks for the rich (those who earn an income of $250,000+), and, most notably today, supporting massive budget cuts for government programs. The rationale among Republicans for this last one is that the debt ceiling is too high and that the best way to combat the debt is to decrease government spending. Liberals advocate eliminating tax cuts for the rich in order to lower the debt.

This is the general view in America among political analysts. Right-wing figures like Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck associate liberals with "godless heathens," fascist tyrants that want to eliminate small business, and Socialist radicals who want maximum government control among all aspects of society. The sad thing is that these two figures have a large following and have influenced political events through their rhetoric. For example, Glenn Beck got Van Jones fired from his position at the White House by leading a smear campaign against him.