American liberalism has become a philosophy with no backbone. The Democratic Party, historically, has best defined what being a liberal is. There have been some Republican liberals in past years, mostly from the northeast (but not many). So being a liberal can be referred to as a traditional Democrat.
But what does it mean to be a liberal in today's America? Is it simply a more kind-hearted politician who espouses help for the downtrodden and poor?Or is a liberal another form of traditional politician? A politician who also can be bought by the highest bidder.
A point can be made that many elected representatives from both the Republican and Democratic party exist somewhere in that middle ground of no strong political philosophy other than what will work to get re-elected. In today's world of American politics those with the backbone are the right wing zealots. As unrealistic, xenophobic, ethnocentric, and jingoistic as they seem, they say what they think, truth be damned! People know where the zealots stand on the issues. They are clearly for a bloated military/industrial complex intended to pad the wallets of the Dick Cheneys of the world. And they don't apologize for it. They speak of American world dominance, torture as an effective tactic against terrorists, life as beginning at conception (maybe make birth control illegal), and a sort of theocratic democracy as perhaps the best form of governance. You know where they stand!
Now lets compare the demagogues of the right wing with the so called "Liberals". The liberals are supposed to be in favor of universal health care, a down sized military, fairer and more progressive tax structure, and stronger government regulation of industry-especially for those who exploit and destroy the world's natural resources. But who do liberals negotiate with in order to promote their weak "agenda"? Who do they hold their hands out to in order to get enough money to get re-elected?
Since Bill Clinton (and probably before) the liberal backbone has become weakened by their greed for political relevancy. This is for the sake of a watered down agenda that promotes only their own self-interest. Their hands are open for the highest bidder (just like their Republican cohorts.) The liberals doors are open for business to the lobbyists who provide them with the money for election. Favors will always have to be provided to those who buy their way in to office. Sure the liberals espouse a slightly more humane foreign policy with more emphasis on negotiation, but when push comes to shove they will also let the bombs fly on unsuspecting villagers, all in the name of national security. They will do this,just like their friends from the other side of the aisle, and history points this out time after time (see Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan).
The Democratic party is Republican light. They also play the same game of big money politics. What we have created in this country is not a Democracy or a Republic, but a Corporatocracy. A Corporatocracy that cares only about controlling the men in office. This control is all encompassing and the wealthiest pull all the strings. They are the puppet masters. They are truly the Masters of the Universe. These "Masters" do not care about the poor people of this country or others. They care about controlling the world and its resources with the American Empire. An Empire that will keep its control only with a corporate sponsored military/industrial complex. A complex that costs up to third of the federal budget.
Without a strong Democratic Party that is willing to critique this corrupt corporate structure, business as usual will continue for decades to come. And what will be the result of this corrupt structure? My guess would be a near one party state. A state with diminished opposition. A state where most of its citizens have forgotten what it means to be liberal.