Why are Democrats Democrat, and why are Liberals liberal?

Answer 1

Both of these, as well as conservative and Republican, have evolved into little more than labels. If you look at "classic" democratic and "classic" republican ideals, very few people actually follow or meet these. Liberals are "not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms", conservatives are "tending or disposed to maintain existing views, conditions, or institutions". To put it simply, liberals look to the future, conservatives draw from the past. Both are essential.

If you look at the liberal party in England, they are associated with ideals of individual especially economic freedom, greater individual participation in government, and constitutional, political, and administrative reforms designed to secure these objectives. This is "classic liberalism". It seems funny, but in America, most of these ideals are held by conservatives, not liberals.

Some of the traits of "classic conservatism" are smaller government, lower federal debt, and favoring free markets. Again, surprisingly enough, these are seen more often in liberals than in conservatives.

I think that if most people looked at they actual "classic" traits of the group they think they belong in, they'd be surprised. The terms "liberal", "conservative", "Democrat", and "Republican" have all evolved into nothing more than ways to attack those who disagree with us.

Answer 2

Unfortunately there are a lot of idiots who are liberals. There are a lot of idiots who are conservatives as well.

But the fact is that there are a lot of liberals who are not idiots and fight for your rights.

Just look at what liberals did in the 20th century.

1. Women's rights. Your avatar is a woman -- so this might interest you. Until 1919, women couldn't vote. Liberals got women the right to vote. Just 30 years ago women were discouraged from getting a good education or having a career. Liberals made sure that women could get educations and could get fair pay for their work. If it weren't for liberals, you would be washing the dishes and cleaning the house instead of complaining on the Internet.

2. Civil Rights. Conservatives (both republicans and democrats) were happy with the status quo regarding blacks. Many southern states made it difficult for blacks to vote. They weren't allowed to use public bathrooms or water fountains or schools where white children went. At the 1948 convention, Hubert Humphrey gave an impassioned speach that made the democrats put civil rights on their platform. Other liberals (black and white) changed the world and made it easier for blacks to vote and to get an education.

3. World Affairs -- After WWI conservatives relied on isolationist policies that made it impossible to help the rest of the world recover from the war. Conservatives blocked Wilson's plan to have a League of Nations -- instead letting the victors take the spoils -- which allowed fascism to flourish in Europe. Liberals, on the other hand, saw the immorality of those regimes and wanted to help our allies at the beginning of the war. After the war, Truman was able to establish the United Nations after WWII and was able -- through the Marshall Plan he was able to rebuild Europe so that there wouldn't be another war there during our lifetime.

The list is long. Nearly every improvement in the past 100 years -- from medical coverage to retirement benefits to freedom of speech on the Internet has come about because of Liberals.

There are two things that people always bring up about liberals -- that they spend too much money and that they impose their views on the public. But if you look at the facts, the largest deficits have occurred during the Reagan and G W Bush administrations while Clinton actually produced a surplus. Liberals make sure they pay as they go.

In addition, recent academic studies have shown that the economy is much more robust when liberals are in office than when conservative republicans control the White House. The stock market returns during Democratic administrations average over 9% higher returns than during republican administrations.

Now perhaps you would rather that women were barefoot and pregnant, that blacks knew their places and that the US had no dealings with other countries -- but I say the world is a much better place because of these changes.

Answer 3

Democrates are democrates because they have a basic instinc to help those less fortunate. They know people are not born equal and some have greater talent and abilities than others. Those with lesser abilities should not become trampled by the more talented people so there are laws to protect them.
Democrates and Liberals really believe differently.
Liberals seem to support people that do not want to work or lifestyles that may bring society and our culture down.

Answer 4

I am a liberal Democrat. Why? Because I'm too smart, I have too much compassion, and I smoke too much pot to be a Republican.

Answer 5

For the same reason Republicans are Republican. Every one chooses who they want to represent them and normally stick with that party. Also, most people pick who their parents pick.

Answer 6

Translated:

watch and learn form Nickelodeon's CATDOG

Answer 7

Because conservatives and republicans are evil and must be stopped.

Answer 8

These are the labels that have been accepted. Why are Conservatives conservative? And what are they trying to conserve?

Answer 9

DOESN'T MATTER. THEY ALL WANT ONE THING-MONEY AND POWER. A BILLIONAIRE ALWAYS WANT MORE.
IMAGINE HOW THEY ACQUIRED SUCH WEALTH!

Answer 10

They are that way because they don't know any better!!!