cover image It's Great to Be a Liberal

It's Great to Be a Liberal

T. J. Walker. Distinctive Pub. Corp., $9.94 (178pp) ISBN 978-0-942963-47-2

The problem with trying to be a liberal Rush Limbaugh is that liberals are more uncomfortable making wild generalizations (``Does this make every conservative a racist? Damn! I wish I could rid myself of the liberal sense of fairness''). They simply aren't as good at foaming at the mouth (``Unfortunately, Mr. My-religion-is-right-and-the-rest-of-you-are-going-to-hell was never able to develop his brain to the point where he could understand the difference between religious convictions and political values''). They don't even get indignant very well (``Women aren't just baby producers, although it's wonderful when they do produce babies. Oh, why am I trying to be careful here?''). Originally designed as five-minute radio pieces squeezed in between a financial talk show and the one by the aforementioned Limbaugh, Walker's 42 chapters cover protectionism, abortion, privatization, unions, environment, censorship, sensitivity and most other touchstones of liberalism. Each is preceded by an epigraph from Walker's invented conservative bogeyman, State Senator Stedman ``Ted'' Ivory, an annoying conceit combining something of Jesse Helms, something (including the language) of Limbaugh-- ``Those liberal Femi nazis think they're so smart.'' It's a noble effort and one that steadfast moderate liberals may find reassuring but Walker is hardly likely to win over any converts. It may be great to be a liberal, but it hardly seems like fun. (Apr.)