We tried the system where corrupt government leaders espoused being happy with the current system and those conservative leaders sent troops oppressing the radicals who dared to challenge the system. It was the 1760's and 70's in America. Eventually the conservatives lost and the radicals liberals set up the US. Constitution with its Bill of Rights.
Liberals are not here to steal your 401k. Liberals aren't leaching away your economic happiness so deadbeats, bums and criminals get a free ride. Liberals are saying that we can all live better, with minimal sacrifices for each of us as individuals. Liberalism is an idea based on a positive view of the world and humanity that expresses a moral imperative to lift us all so that every citizen is well educated, has access to health care, good food, a good wage job, in a clean environment, free of discrimination. Liberals believe in a government that does not use fear and intimidation but instead has a recognition of the sacred trust that the people have set before it to represent us, not corporations, religious organizations, or lobbyist groups. Liberals believe that freedom comes from the power of democratic ideas, not from the power of force. Militarism diminishes the power of democracy and therefore should be reduced to a level necessary for defense purposes only. Defense is never the occupation of other Nations.
The corporations, bankers, and many of the politicians use fear as an omnipresent tool to keep citizens from complaining or organizing. Fear is a the weapon of choice for an adversary who has already lost the war of ideas.
As Americans, we still have a choice. We can be the peaceful protestor who locks arms in defense of the idea that we can do better as a society, or we can be the guy with a can of pepper spray and a billy club who is just following orders. We decide who to cheer for, who to lock arms with and who is ultimately right. I still have hope that it is not too late to remember who we are.
The image does not belong to me, I am using it to promote discussion.