What is the true meaning of being a liberal, and what is so bad about being a liberal? The term "liberal" is tossed about as if it is an insult. Is it supposed to be an insult?
2006-09-19 06:04:40 · 12 answers · asked by jack jr 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
freedom/open minded to things.... and it has become a very weak insult...
2006-09-19 07:48:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think Liberalism is closer to socialism (not be confused with communism), or the desire to promote the well-being of all people within a society. Conservatism means to conserve or maintain the status quo. I think the middle line is the best, since it would balance out full-fledged freedom (liberalism) and stagnation (conservatism) into a forward-moving but cautious frame of mind.
However, the extreme wing of each side is just evil. Communism is a desire for an idealistic totally egalitarian society, which because it could not happen (too utopist), turned into a dictatorial Oligarchy (Soviet Union). Only pathetic little neo-cons are capable of calling liberals "Anti-American", when Jefferson, FDR, Washington, Franklin and basically the majority if not all of the founding Fathers were liberals, or revolutionaries at the very least. NEO-CONS SHOULD JUST LEAVE THE COUNTRY AND GIVE IT BACK TO US AMERICANS; THEY ARE THE ONES WHO ARE ANTI-AMERICAN, REGULARLY SAYING THINGS THAT WOULD MAKE THE FOUNDING FATHERS TURN IN THEIR GRAVES. I am just disappointed that moderate conservatives do not recogonize that neo-cons are a threat to us all.
2006-09-19 13:52:53 · answer #2 · answered by Shivers 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that the key word here is 'tolerance.' A liberal is willing to give other people a fair chance, a fair shake and a fair crack at the whip.
A liberal is the kind of person who actually believes, "judge not, lest ye be judged."
A liberal has a big heart and is, to a point, willing to, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do."
A liberal believes that the poor, the defenceless and the hungry should be helped out and defended and fed.
To a self-centred, money-grubbing, holier-than-thou, look-down-their-nose, I'm-all-right-jack, it's-them-or-us, never-give-a-sucker-an-even-break kind of person, calling someone a liberal is truly an insult. It's just like a bully calling his/her victim 'weak'.
Finally an unliberal peraon sees enemies everywhere and is more or less willing to assist them on their way to HELL and/or create a living hell for the enemies right here on Earth.
I could go on and on....but I think it's like beating a dead horse.
2006-09-19 13:56:22 · answer #3 · answered by eantaelor 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Liberalism: a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, and the autonomy of the individual and standing for the protection of political and civil liberties.
Son, stocks may rise and fall, utilities and transportation systems may collapse. People are no damn good...lex luthor 1978 (original superman)
2006-09-19 13:16:15 · answer #4 · answered by JM 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
liberalism emphasizes:
individual rights.
freedom of thought for individuals
limitations on power, especially of government and religion
the rule of law
free public education
the free exchange of ideas
a market economy that supports relatively free private enterprise
rights of all citizens are protected
open and fair elections
anti-discrimination laws
I personally don't agree with excessive taxation and VERY limited government assistance with a lifetime cap on such benefits...
2006-09-19 13:18:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
One who does not have any inhibition in accepting to others views when they think they are right, and also disagree firmly and chalk out his own course in disagreement he is termed liberal. Atleast, there will be transparency and no hypocricy involved.
VR
2006-09-19 13:17:56 · answer #6 · answered by sarayu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The repbulo-fascists have fashioned it into a cartoon-like mockery of everything they hate, much like the caricatures of the Japanese that were circulated in WW2, and just about as respectable. Propoganda is never pretty, and usually reveals the ugliness of the user more than the supposed target.
2006-09-19 13:10:14 · answer #7 · answered by Hate Boy! 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I heard that The definition of a conservative is a liberal who just go mugged.
2006-09-19 13:24:35 · answer #8 · answered by medic 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the word liberal has been hijacked by people who are anything but liberal, real liberals do not support high taxes and big government like the demon-rat party does.
2006-09-19 13:10:22 · answer #9 · answered by marceldev29 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not insulting just the facts
Liberals being plan-less, fact-less, reasonless, clueless, defeatist and Anti_anything American is not only true of liberals it is the kindest thing I ever said about the liberals
2006-09-19 13:10:34 · answer #10 · answered by buzzy360comecme 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋