I don’t even know when, where, why, or how the word liberal became something of scorn. Two decades ago liberalism was reduced to a synonym for weakness, it became associated with everything on the left that seemed immoderate, indecisive, contemptible and ignoble. Since when did compassion for others generate such negative emotions in people? Why should protecting the environment and workers rights, wanting a better education for our children, helping the poor, sick and elderly, protecting consumers from corporate greed, eliminating racism, sexism and classism, and wanting a peaceful world so that every nation can prosper be things to look down upon in disgust?