In These Times magazine has a refreshing article by Susan J. Douglas calling for a reclamation of the term “tax and spend liberals” in the United States — a nice reminder that Democratic politics need not go down the pro-business road it is now. She mentions a new book by Paul Krugman, The Conscience of a Liberal, in which the case for a new New Deal is laid out. She concludes:

For years, Republicans tarred Democrats as “tax and spend liberals.” Just as gays and lesbians reclaimed the word “queer” as a move of empowerment, Democrats should embrace the “tax and spend” moniker. Taxing and spending is what advanced, industrialized countries do. And they do it to promote equitable societies.

Canadians would be wise to heed this call as well.