The real question for anyone calling themselves Liberal in the correct meaning of the word is...?

Question

How far should intolerance be tolerated?

Answer 1

For Americans, intolerance can be tolerated as long as it is the free expression of a person's ideas. The moment a person acts upon those intolerances in such a way that others' constitutional and legal rights are violated, intolerance must be halted to preserve the social order.

In those cases where there is a disagreement over the exact moment or action that does or does not cross a legal line, that is where the ongoing democratic dynamic of the electoral and judicial systems must be allowed to continue shaping and evolving over time to resolve those issues over the long term.

Liberalism comes from the word freedom. A freedom not only to live as one chooses, but to also be free from the oppressiveness of other people's choices imposed upon us. That is a social balance which will always be in flux.

Answer 2

Tolerance is the bare-minimum I require of people. It doesn't mean you don't dislike some person or group, it just means you don't actively, visibly hate them. So to answer your question, it should not be tolerated at all.

However, this is not a 'Liberal' issue in the correct meaning of the word. To put it very simply a Liberal is someone who believes that government can and should do more than the absolute basics. For example both public schools, and private voucher schools would be considered a manner of Liberalism since both are funded by tax-payers and subject to government oversight. However public schools are *more* Liberal because they are under the direct control of a democratically elected school board rather than a corporate board elected by investors.

Thus, neither being intolerant nor being tolerant is Liberal in the traditional sense. However, passing laws that promote or enforce tolerance is Liberal.

Answer 3

The answer to your question is intolerance of ...? And since you have not specified, I can only answer it depends. But, in a society where there are no laws, chaos and mob rule.
You can say whatever you want but cannot do whatever you want.
There are sufficient laws in place for me to believe that a person should be able to say whatever about as long as it is not slander. The reason you can say whatever you want is because other than slander today's gosip is easily forgotten but your behaviour may not.

Answer 4

The first thing that needs to be determined is a precise definition of intolerance, not based simply on one who disagrees with your point of view. Second, one should never encroach on one's freedom of opinion or speech in the name of tolerance. That, in and of itself, is intolerance.

Answer 5

If you want to talk political Evils - how about the no bid contract that Dick Cheney's Halliburton secured in Iraq on the tax payers dime . If any political party has forgotten about the every day average wage earner it is Republicans

Answer 6

To be tolerant is to "put up with' something, or someone. I want to be respected. I am intolerant of disrespect.

Answer 7

I know that some people hate the term 'liberal'. Mainly because they know they are not liberal and are offended by the implied criticism. Usually the kind of people who boast about being 'politically incorrect' when what they really mean is 'bigoted'!

Answer 8

I've tolerated a lot from the Bush administration. I think we all have. Americans can tolerate a lot.

Answer 9

People only call others Liberals when they don't like George W. They don't really know what it means.

Answer 10

Homer Simpson...