Is 'liberal' in politics supposed to mean liberty or big government? Nowadays it seems to be the latter

Answer 1

Their motto seems to be "If something must be done, let's start a new government program to do it!" And government programs never die!

Unfortunately, republicans are moving towards big government. I'm more of a libertarian, myself. The only reason I usually vote republican is because I'm against the big-government liberals. But, these days, I can't always assume the Republican isn't just as bad.

Answer 2

Liberals believe in Social Security to assure that if business collapses again or slows down, people are not laid off with no income to help them buy food. It is a solution to a human problem. Liberals also believe that education is the responsibility of government to assure that individuals and society are adequately educated to make a positive contribution to society by understanding the issues of the day and voting. Liberals believe that medicare is the same way, Medicaid, general assistance for emergencies, pension protection for old age and so and so.
No one gets rich on these services, but people in need are assisted in the old age or disability.
The way social security is paid helps the society and economy by injecting money into the bottom of the economic system. So , the disabled recipient receives like five hundred dollars per month which is spent at the corner store in the area and serves to pay the owners and the workers in that area. Then the money is re-spent by the owners and the workers and so forth until after five to seven cycles the money is in the banking system and government accounts.
This is a transfer payment that spreads money throughout the system which distributes wages, savings, dividends and tax receipts to the government. It is called a win/win situation, and it keeps the system healthy.

Answer 3

Democrats support big govt. So do Neo-Cons for that matter.

Liberals support liberty and social programs to help people. And while the latter often get implemented through big govt, that itself is not an inherent aspect of their platform. In other words, if there was another way to ensure the social programs, most liberals would be just as happy with smaller govt.

The problem is, until recently liberals didn't have much choice in where to go. Their options were either Republicans or Democrats. So, at least with the Democrats, they weren't fighting against the conservative social agenda.

Liberals now have another option. Personal liberties, private social programs, small government.

Think independently. Vote Libertarian.

Answer 4

It's not supposed to mean either one. A liberal is the opposite of a conservative. A liberal is more inclined to move in a new direction, think outside of the box, try to be innovative, and try to share the wealth a little better than is being done now. A conservative wants the Federal gov't. to have less power, is not so inclined to make new, risky moves. The conservatives are generally the people who back big business.

"Liberal" does not stand for liberty--that is a separate word.

Answer 5

This sounds more like a statement than a question.

Is 'Conservative' in politics suppose to mean less spending or conformist? No way it's the first

Answer 6

Liberal means social democrat in the modern sense of internet oversimplification. They want welfare and social programs.

Answer 7

liberty

Answer 8

It means weak, wimpy, pandering, whiney, blathering, appeasment sell short, spineless, gutless, yellow belly, self decieving, ....