The "L" word. Loser.

Last night, I had a discussion with the kind of person who seems intent on writing the death sentence for the Democratic Party and the left in general and, like so many, has no clue that she's doing it.

"We have to talk about Morals," she said. "And we can't call ourselves Liberals. Maybe Moral Progressives." She went onto lecture me, and all those who would listen, about how "liberal" had been ruined and would always have a negative stereotype.

This kind of thinking brought us to our result on Nov. 2. A party that stands for nothing but what it opposes, not one with any specific visions for the future or any pride in what it believes. A party that feels the need to use euphemisms about its most basic priniciples. In short, a bunch of losers.

Like a beaten dog, we cower in the corner, and allow the other side to destroy our legacy, our accomplishments by turning the word we should be proudest of, liberal, into an insult. And we help, acting embarrassed about what we believe, censoring ourselves. Who is going to vote for someone who acts like there are embarrassed by what they believe?

Unlike most people on the left, I proudly embrace being a liberal. How many million lives have been saved by liberals? How many have gotten education and a hand up to a better life because of liberals? How many people got the right to vote because of liberals? Liberals founded this country, while the conservatives supported the British. So yeah, I'm so proud to be a liberal, I often even refer to myself as a pinko lefty.

I'm a liberal. Not left of center. Not a moderate progressive. Liberal. If you don't like it, too fucking bad. Not only am I not going to cower in the corner, I'm going to kick your right-wing, racist, redneck ass back to the 19th Century where your attitudes should have died out.

America likes winners and can't stand whiny, self-conscious losers. That's the main reason why George W. Bush was reelected. John Kerry too often acted like a loser (thank you, Bob Schrum, you asshole loser) and now the price will be paid.

The "L" word needs to go.

Loser.