For most of the past four decades, "liberals" have been in retreat. In many quarters, the word "liberal" has become a pejorative. Part of the problem is that liberals have failed to define themselves and to state clearly what they believe.

As a liberal, I find that appalling. In that light, and in light of President Obama's inaugural address, which many have seen as a call to the nation to return to liberal values, I am re-posting a statement I originally posted in 2006 in an effort to articulate ten propositions that seemed to me to define a "liberal" is or does or believes.

Undoubtedly, not all liberals embrace all of these propositions, and many conservatives embrace at least some of them. Moreover, because ten is a small number, the list is not exhaustive. And because these propositions will in some instances conflict, the "liberal" position on a specific issue may not always be predictable. My goal, however, is not to end discussion, but to invite debate.

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