it's a pity, but the term "liberal" really has become a euphemism for whiny little bitch. those folks of real conscience who wear that label proudly have lost credibility because of a leadership that betrayed their ideals.

by the same token, conservatism has been smeared by the prudery of a leadership too busy currying favor with the uber-religious and the corrupt within the business community.

we must develop new terms for the ideological bases of these two groups or quit labeling ourselves altogether and remember the art of compromise.