Liberal Ideology Under Fire: A Call for Open Dialogue

By Rob Taub

According to Oxford and Webster dictionaries, a liberal is defined as “willing to respect or accept behavior or opinions different from one’s own; open to new ideas; broad-minded, tolerant.”

I was raised in a liberal household during the 1960s–1970s, where we were taught to embrace change and respect differing perspectives. My parents were active in the Democratic Party, and open debate was a regular part of family and friend discussions. Being “progressive” meant welcoming new ideas and adapting to a changing world, often through protests and social movements.

Today, liberalism has shifted toward rigid ideology, prioritizing dogma over logic or practical solutions. Liberals have become intolerant, rejecting alternative viewpoints with labels like fascist, Nazi, oligarch, misogynist, racist, or trans-phobic instead of engaging in dialogue. Those who dissent are often canceled without scrutiny.

As a journalist writing for a conservative outlet, I face online harassment from individuals who dismiss my work without reading it. Their judgments reflect a culture of groupthink where conformity is enforced through public shaming. If this has become the modern “Scarlet Letter,” I choose to embrace it as a symbol of resistance.