This is a plea for tolerance. 

Liberals are just like the rest of us.

They marry, breed – at least those of opposite sexes – and live among us.

They have jobs, and families, and bills to pay.

It’s just that they expect the government to provide the jobs, take care of their families and pay the bills.

And they expect the rest of us to pay for it.

And they can’t understand why anyone would object to that.

And they don’t mind describing anyone who does object in terms a Marine drill instructor wouldn’t use.

And they insist that the people they are slandering must use only the most civil and courteous language when they speak – if they really must speak. Better to remain silent and rely upon their wisdom, they say.

To me, the British writer got it right who said, “People on the left know the answers before they know the problems.”

But, above all, they are morally superior, far more intelligent and so gosh-darn compassionate.

Re: compassion. Never ask the obvious question, “What is so compassionate about giving away other people’s money?” They tend to fly into tears or rages and may report you to the appropriate government agency.

The bottom line is that they see themselves as the only ones fit to lead America in a transition from the most prosperous, most powerful, most generous force for freedom and good in human history to the liberal Utopia where everyone is completely equal.

Well, almost.

It didn’t quite work out for the Soviet Union, but who knows?

Liberals vary in degree, of course.

Some only vote for liberal politicians because “they try to help people.” But if that’s their main concern, why not let the United Way run the government?

Others are sufficiently pliable as a result of the dedicated efforts of the government schools and government-oriented media that they think it would be unfair not to vote for any liberal on the ballot.

Others believe sincerely that America is a failed, racist, imperialistic state controlled by an amorphous body known as “the rich.” (This group does not include anyone who actually is rich, except those who became rich by playing music or games, or pretending to be someone else.)

Then there are ideologues, what philosopher Eric Hoffer called the True Believers.

The list is long: Karl Marx, Mao Zedong, Barack Obama, Kim Il-Sung (oops, he’s gone), and Cher are among the better known.

Conservatives –– or “normal Americans” as I prefer to call them –– already are extremely tolerant so this plea is directed mainly at “moderates.”

Normal Americans should not try to convert liberal people. (They also hate proselytes.) Engaging them in dialogue generally is a waste of time anyway. They cling to myths and abhor facts.

Better to just vote against them early and often. For those who are close friends, tolerate, wine and dine with them and confine discussions to safe areas such as the prospects for the Florida Gators next year.

But be sure to pick up the tab.


Lloyd Brown was in the newspaper business nearly 50 years, beginning as a copy boy and retiring as editorial page editor of the Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville. After retirement he served as speech writer for Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.