Since when did liberal become a bad word?

Answer 1

I think it's important to remember that "conservative" was a bad word after the Goldwater era. These things go in cycles.

But I think you raise an interesting point, and I certainly think it's essential that people on the left stop running from that label. There are movements to do just this
( http://www.reclaimliberal.org ), but the best thing we can do is simply stop taking it as an insult, because it isn't.

Answer 2

Neither liberal nor conservative are “bad” words. Liberalism is a philosophy and political belief, which holds that liberty, is the most important political value. The word "liberal" originates from the Latin liber ("free"), from which the term "liberty" also comes. I never had a problem with the word nor do I run from anyone that does. Most people who bash opposing views do not know the gist of the political terminology they hurl around randomly. I am a liberal and have many conservative friends whom I would gladly share a foxhole with in a heartbeat. Opposing political views are encouraged as we all benefit from different ideas and meaningful discussions.

Answer 3

because of the fact the def you in basic terms gave isn't what it has come to intend, quite it skill great government, great social welfare courses, close minded and illiberal of all and sundry else who would not see issues the way the left does, greater in intensity involvement on your on an widespread basis existence with the aid of Gov't regulation, greater taxed, anti-capitalist, anti-protection rigidity, fake shallowness quite of opposition, etc...etc..etc..whilst liberal skill what your Dictionary says it skill then i will vote Democrat, till then get your head out of the sand or down from the clouds and get a grip on what the left has made up of the Democratic occasion. Alien, your respond is classic, you blame the media for the justifications whilst it is your occasion and the communities that have hijacked that are the subject, you asked the question approximately how liberal has prove to be a foul be conscious yet do no longer % to look to settle for that if certainty learn that liberal in the classic experience in the Democratic occasion is ineffective and has been replaced by skill of a some distance left ideaology that would not replicate the widespread public of the rustic. certainty, responsible it on the lack of fairness act is stupid and in basic terms user-friendly susceptible, if the fairness act became into enforced it might make MSNBC, CBS, ABC and NBC all might desire to do the same element which you extremely % for the radio channels to do, ie; provide equivalent time, it is going to by no skill ensue, the left only %'s it one way and that's the left's way ;-)

Answer 4

Liberal is no more a bad word than NeoCon. It's people who define the labels they are given. I don't judge people by labels, be it Liberal or whatever. You see it attached and given a negative connotation by people who's purpose is trying to control a group of people using fear & ignorance.

Answer 5

When the majority of people stopped respecting different opinions.

Democrats abandoned the term when they started focusing most of their efforts on bashing Republicans. And Republicans were able to spin the term even better once they became the majority.

It's really sad that people can't understand that the basic concepts of both the liberal and conservative movements are necessary for balance. It's also sad that so few people want balance.

But as long as we're so polarized, anyone who preaches tolerance and freedom of choice are going to be demonized. If you have any doubts, just look around you in this forum at the number of idiots (on both sides of the political spectrum) who spout nothing but hate-based rhetoric.

Answer 6

Ever since the government has gone down and then all the sudden everyone is either against something with the governments and then you see liberals everywhere.

Answer 7

I'm not sure liberal is a bad word....... "You people just take things to personal." Liberal is what they called people in England. Why can we not in American make our own words up? STOP PLAGIARIZING!!!!

Answer 8

Since compassion went out of style and became associated with the term "bleeding heart"

Answer 9

When "conservative" stopped being a bad word; about the time of Reagan's first election.

Answer 10

When enough people saw the hypocrisies and double standards liberal ideology stood for.

And yes, when John Kerry said so.