How come “liberal” is such a nasty word in our lexicon? The dictionary says it means giving freely, generously, ample, abundant, favoring reform and progress.

I happen to be a Democrat, but I tend to be a moderate. I like the idea of being able to vote for either party or reject them if their political views are out of line with mine. That’s called democracy. Does that make me an independent?

If you examine any of our Democrats’ or Republicans’ statements: horrors. Both parties are mouthing some of the same words, known as platitudes.

After all, who wants to bad-mouth progress or generous (as in huge) tax givebacks. Wouldn’t that be classified as liberal? A fifth definition of liberal is “broad-minded.”

So, who wants to be called “narrow-minded”?

“Conservative” as in preserving establishments or methods, resist and oppose change, as in let’s keep the Midwestern factories spewing their mercury-laden, airborne waste over southern Quebec and New England and spice up our rivers with a few more chemical pollutants.

Can a moderate exist between the two extremes?

Archie R. Travers Sr., Auburn