It happens all the time. I challenge right-wing talking points, call out capitalist exploitation, or support basic human rights, and suddenly — boom — I’m a “liberal.” As if that’s the end of the discussion. As if being anti-fascist or pro-worker automatically plants me squarely in the Democratic Party’s center-left garden.
Let me be clear: I am not a liberal. I just live in a country so far to the right that calling for universal healthcare, climate action, or labor rights feels like revolution.
Why people call me a liberal:
- I argue with conservatives.
- Apparently, in the American binary brain, if you’re not parroting Fox News or defending billionaires, you must be a Democrat. The idea that there’s something to the left of liberals is unthinkable to many.
- I care about people
- When you defend the poor, the unhoused, immigrants, or even the basic right not to die from lack of insulin, people assume you’re a part of the “bleeding heart” liberal crowd. As if compassion is a party platform rather than a moral baseline.
- I don’t support Trump
- That alone gets you painted blue in some circles. Never mind that opposing authoritarianism, racism, or conspiracy cults isn’t a matter of party loyalty — it’s basic sanity.
Why I’m not a liberal
- Liberals love capitalism. I want to overthrow it.
- Liberals think the system is mostly fine and just needs tweaks. I think the system is fundamentally broken and built on exploitation. We don’t need nicer capitalism — we need a new world.
- Liberals believe in reform. I believe in rupture.
- Liberals put their faith in voting, committees, and incrementalism. I believe the change we need won’t come from polite asks or polished speeches. It’ll come from disruption, pressure, and direct action.
- Liberals want to return to “normal.” I want to move forward.
- “Normal” gave us Trump, climate collapse, and a society that treats people as disposable. I don’t want to go back. I want something radically better.
- Liberals apologize for empire. I oppose it.
- Whether it’s war, coups, or sanctions, liberals rarely challenge American imperialism. I do — because solidarity shouldn’t stop at our borders.
So what am I?
Call me a leftist. A socialist. A troublemaker. An anti-capitalist. A human being tired of being told the best we can do is Joe Biden or Kamala Harris with a side of despair. Just don’t call me a liberal.
Because I’m not here to make capitalism kinder. I’m here to make it history.
Sisyphus Shrugged 
Right back at ya! I was utterly confused when I first encountered republicans on Thoughts, there were a few people who were closer to the centre that I got along with quite well, but if you don’t tick all the boxes for them then you are a Liberal. I dislike hippies, I dislike dolphins, furry activism and so on. I really don’t like how corporations have more rights than I do or governments that make too many rules – I actually think that utopia is the point where there is no government but that’s thousands of generations off, we just aren’t’ that evolved.
Capitalism isn’t working – has it ever? All it does is maim, poison and enslave people – so is that what being conservative amounts to? Maybe I am a dirty liberal, though I shower most days.
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Exactly! It’s wild how ‘liberal’ has become this catch-all insult when you don’t worship billionaires or want to grind the poor into Soylent. Like, sorry I don’t think ExxonMobil should run the world — guess I’m a hippie dolphin-furry now?
I’m with you on utopia too. I think stateless, classless society is the goal, but yeah — humanity’s still out here eating lead paint and electing demagogues, so we’ve got a bit to go. In the meantime, I’ll settle for overthrowing capitalism, dismantling empire, and pissing off centrists along the way.
Also, your ‘dirty liberal’ line? Chef’s kiss. That’s exactly the kind of post-capitalist hygiene slander I’m here for.
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I think I’ll get a tattoo of that on my bum – “Dirty Liberal”.
“…post-capitalist hygiene slander…” would make a great band name, and ‘…eating lead paint and electing demagogues…” would make an awesome book title!
All of those would make great t-shirts when you are ready to do merch. That’s started my day with a smile – thanks!
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