And election blues

Rosalie Welch-Johnson says she has the midterm election blues, because the Congress has been taken over by “liberals” in her letter “Election blues” (BDN, Nov. 10). America in the 20th century was built on liberal policy, from the Progressive Era through the New Deal, the Fair Deal, and the Great Society. Let’s examine what policies these dreaded liberals have brought us over the years: child labor laws, the 40-hour work week, a woman[s right to vote, workplace safety standards, Social Security, Medicare, the GI Bill, civil rights, the minimum wage, clean air and clean drinking water – just to name a few.

So, if your workplace is safe and you’re paid a living wage, thank a liberal. If your children go to school instead of working in sweatshops, thank a liberal. If you’re a woman and you just voted, thank a liberal. If you or your parents are eligible for Medicare and Social Security so you or they can grow old with dignity, thank a liberal. If you are a person of color and you take your family to a restaurant or a public park or you use a public restroom, thank a liberal. If your air is clean and your water is drinkable, thank a liberal.

It is good to remember that many of the things Americans take for granted were brought to us by liberals. And that these policies and reforms were fought against tooth and nail by conservatives.

Karen M. Dickes

Ellsworth