Liberal, socialist, progressive

Quick note about word choice. Recently in the news (http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20090423/pl_politico/21638) was an item about an RNC conference measure to re-brand the Democratic Party as the “Democrat Socialist Party.” In case you hadn't noticed yet, "Socialist" is the new favorite word of conservatives, and has completely replaced "liberal" in our vocabulary. "Liberal" is shopworn, "Socialist" is fresh. BTW, you'll notice that those on the left don't use the term "liberal" anymore either; now, they say they're "progressive." So "liberal" is totally out.