Danger to Freedom

   It's odd that the word "liberal" is construed as "dangerous" by many political types. It's especially odd because the word is derived from the Latin term "liber," meaning "free." That's the same source that gives us the term "liberty."
   Maybe that's the reason. Many in the opposite political range perceive free people as a danger to their control of society.
   And that, at the bottom line, is the issue: Control.
   Another term widely used these days is the word "radical." Simply put, it means "out of the ordinary."
   The good side, however, is that commentators on each side of any political issue can actually talk about it. But if one side becomes so dominant that they can criminalize and imprison anyone who disagrees, this free nation has a problem.
   That has happened in other nations, and unless we are careful, it will complete its happening here.
   Meanwhile, it's useful to consider the origin of the words "liberal" and "conservative," especially when talking about politicians.
   "Liberal" is derived from the Latin base and it means "free," while "conservative" means "conserve," or "don't change."
   It comes down to current attitudes toward the definitions. To the newbies, "conservative" means "we're right," and therefore "liberal" means "they're wrong." Along with that is the political and economic policy that says "don't change" because "we benefit from the system."
   But what of others who do not benefit from the dominant system? (By the way, the word "dominant" comes from the same Latin root "domine," which translates as "lord.")
   "That's just the way things are," is the reply from conservatives. "That's no reason to change."
   In a larger sense, that's why labor unions formed. By their definition, workers were being misused and abused because of greed among the owners.
   By that perception, if owners had treated workers fairly and paid them reasonably, there would have been no need for labor to unite and demand fair treatment as well as reasonable pay. By definition, that means getting paid enough to live on.
   Now we see a return to those days when those in prominent positions -- government and business -- insist that their way is the "right way" and all other should do as they're told.
   Obey their betters.
   That went out in the previous century.
   Or did it? Some corporate and political types want a return to those days, when a few controlled the many.
   Royalty was banished from America in 1789
   At least, nominally. The attitude, however, remains among many.