What exactly defines a" Liberal" in American politics?

Question

Even though your beliefs may not be the same as mine, I would appreciate an honest answer.

Answer 1

Four things come to mind: First, their attitude towards government. They believe in a big, cradle-to-grave nanny state that controls every aspect of the people's lives, taxes the rich to redistribute wealth to the "poor" and expects the vote of all of the "victims" who receive their largess. Can you say "Socialism?" Re: From each according to his ability; to each according to his need. - Karl Marx.

Second: Nuances, shades of gray, believing there is no such things as Good and Evil or Right and Wrong. No absolutes. No one is really responsible for their own actions.

Third, they depend heavily on "moral equivalency" to make an argument. Don't debate the issue with facts, offer a moral equivalent instead. A moral equivalent can be used to "abuse, excuse, accuse or confuse".

Fourth, their response to almost every problem is what they feel, not what they think. My own personal opinion? Feminism has made masculine logic politically incorrect. "I feel your pain." has replaced, "I see your problem. Let's fix it."

You asked for our honest answers. There's mine.

Answer 2

The label liberal is meaningless these days. There was a time when the label liberal could be attached to someones ideology but the right wing have turned the word into a swear word that fits no one. They have created a strawman they call "liberals" and endow this strawman with all the qualities they hate and then claim that all Democrats are these phony "liberals" which of course they aren't.

I don't know a single democrat who wants abortions. They just think a woman should have the right to choose to have an abortion. I wish no woman would want or need to have an abortion but I still believe they should have the choice. Conservatives don't undestand this concept.

Answer 3

This depends. Are you asking about Liberal or a liberal? Note the capitalisation on the L!

In political theory, Liberalism is a political philosophy that stresses individualism, in addition to placing limits and granting powers to the government and the people.

In contemporary American politics, "liberals" with a lower case L are those who Republicans and the conservative Right identify with socialistic and communistic ideals. That is something of a glib interpretation, but it's a start.

I suggest you read the link I have provided if you're interested in really learning about Liberalism (capital L)

Answer 4

I think of being liberal as freedom of thinking , looking at all sides
of the issue and going with the one that hurts the lest people .
I'm not a liberal on all things , I think I have some common sense , like most people.
But the Republicans ( mostly right wing ) have tried to make Liberal into a dirty word . We all know that it's only a word !!!!

Answer 5

To me a liberal is a person who is close-minded. I am a republican,but I do listen to both sides. I am a Republican,because of Jimmy Carter and Bill Cliton. They are the reason I changed. Also, I don't believe in abortion. If you vote for a liberal it's saying you approve abortion. There's going to be a payback someday,and I want to be on the right side. I could go on,and tell many other reasons,but libs. won't read and Republicans already know.Dems. won't read,because they are closed-minded.They don't want to listen to both sides.

Answer 6

A liberal believes that more government is better to help. Conservatives believe that people can take care of themselves, and that less government is better. I am a conservative, and believe I know what is best for me, not some guy in Washington.

Answer 7

I read the question
I had some thoughts
I read the other answers
Radio Spy said it all
I would only add a fifth item to what he listed...They hold fast to the philosophy that the end justifies the means.

Answer 8

Diane Feinstein of California, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, or a good dose of all three.

Answer 9

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal