Critique

Perhaps liberals' malaise stems from their elite's self-hatred.

That's, essentially, the theme posited in this WSJ editorial, and this piece in Time.

I don't think I'm willing to sign on to either of those (particularly the WSJ editorial), but there's definitely some food for thought there.

Several years ago, I would have identified myself as unabashedly liberal on pretty much any issue. Now, things are not so clear. Part of my developing thinking has to do with some "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" attitude that I've been feeling, particularly after the Democrats' inability to regain the White House in 2004; part of it has to do with the natural cynicism that I think is typical for people to develop as they get older; but most of it has to do with the fact that I think we live in "believe in something and be tough about it" times, and I'm not seeing anything along those lines solidifying in liberal/Democratic circles.

I still firmly believe in most liberal ideals (which some might call libertarian): live and let live, help those who need help, take what you need but don't be greedy. By and large, I think Democrats have better policies than Republicans. But when it comes to leadership- pedal to the metal, unflinching toughness- there's a gaping void in the Democratic Party.

Perhaps this is because Democrats have been focused so strongly on what they DON'T believe in- pretty much everything that the Bush Administration stands for- and they haven't realized that what seems to count more is a firm determination to promote what they DO believe in.

Ironically, it's becoming clear that America and the world need a strong dose of liberal ideals to salvage humanity- less war, more power to people and less to corporations, and maybe even a little attention paid to the environment now that global warming is a fact, not a theory.

Republicans stand for saving America's wealthy and its corporate interests by playing dirty with the world. Democrats should be aiming to save the world- and America along with it- and nothing less.

Perhaps there's something to Al Gore, after all.