Definition of liberalism from Webster's Collegiate dictionary (10th edition):
A political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, and the autonomy [freedom] of the individual and standing for the protection of political and civil liberties.
--What is so unpatriotic and anti-American about the above definition that makes considering yourself to be a "liberal" based on this definition so wrong?
2006-09-21 07:44:07 · 25 answers · asked by What I Say 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
CAUTION! Please don't confuse "liberal" and democrat. I am not talking about democrats, and if you do not know that all (more like most) democrats are not liberals PLEASE do not try to answer this question!
2006-09-21 07:53:29 · update #1
Don't tell me I'm "confusing" definitions. I gave the Webster's Collegiate definition used in American English! I didn't define "liberal" the way the Chinese do! I clarified what I mean. You don't like the standard English definition? Too bad.
2006-09-21 08:09:13 · update #2
It isn't - Liberalism is siding on the individual and not institutions and big business. The conservatives like to portray liberals as anti-American because there is no legitimate left party to attack, therefor, Democrats and liberalism are the only real threat to conservative republicans.
2006-09-21 07:49:16 · answer #1 · answered by ews99999 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It is most likely the result of how those who call themselves liberals (really socialists) act, unpatriotic and un-American.
My granddaughter asked me today after something she saw on the news, why do americans hate america. Big words from someone who is seven, yet she could see right through all the crap and propaganda.
Actions speak louder than words, words being the only thing liberals can come up with.
2006-09-22 13:46:22 · answer #2 · answered by rmagedon 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the traditional definition of "liberalism" is what we would ideologically call "libertarian" in this country today, to an outside country our entire political system is more "liberal" than say China's----but you're confusing the definitions, the word "liberal" has a different meaning outside the USA than it does inside.
2006-09-21 07:56:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
americans are allowed to consider
other people "unpatriotic" and "anti-American"
most times,
those people who label others
"unpatriotic and anti-American"
form their opinion
because the target of their judgement
has spoken against the current administration
(state or federal)
or, has spoken in favor of disrespecting an U.S. icon
or tradition
choosing to exercise their right to have an opinion
doesn't make them bad people
(that applies to BOTH sides)
frequently (and even more so in recent years)
people who have adamant views
in opposition to pres. bush, et.al
and in favor of devaluing long cherished customs, etc.
proudly cloak themselves in the term "liberal"
hoping to absorb some of it's
traditional meaning
(which you quoted from the dictionary in your question)
yet,
these "liberals" of today
these self-called liberals
do not believe those dictionary definitions
of the human race's (including the, shudder, republicans) essential goodness
and of an individual's right to choose his opinions, free of
the rancor of his fellow citizens
(as exemplified by the comments/answers to this question. comments that are bloated with anger against others who hold opposing views)
it's not unpatriotic to be a liberal
it's unpatriotic to call youself a liberal
while you believe that opposing theorists are so evil
that they should be eradicated
(no place for goodness and freedom here)
those shenanigans
are just plain
wrong
2006-09-21 19:58:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
because patriotism is what is hot right now, that and terrorism. The right hears these words everyday, and regurgitates them back in every scenario they don't agree with. They use those terms so often, they have lost their meaning (and so has the term 'liberal'.) To sum up, lack of originality forces these people to resort to this type of name calling. I wouldn't say 'so many' I'd say 'those who blindly follow this administration'. ABout 36%
ynotgayle...that isn't why more women are liberals...liberals fighting to protect women's rights is why. But if it makes you more comfortable to think that women are fickle, and ruled by emotions, then go ahead. Mrs. Flintstone is waiting for you...
2006-09-21 08:19:01 · answer #5 · answered by hichefheidi 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Some Conservatives think that the only way to combat a difference of opinion is through insult. So this creates the illusion that most Conservatives think all liberals are unAmerican.
It is however only an illusion.
2006-09-21 08:32:12 · answer #6 · answered by tom l 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
...my feeling and observation is that the world's liberal media, and the U.S. liberal media has swamped the world with anti-american sentiment since 2003.. It is far from proven that Saddamm wasn't (through his nuclear expert, Ja'far) sending to Niger for uranium for thermo nuclear weaponry.. when uranium is the only product Niger provides.. But the media keeps hammering that's it's proven Saddam had no WMD's and was not pursuing them, and thus Bush and conservatives are the world's evil (why just look how they fought the spread of communism and its genocides).. I fear for this world, if the conservatives of America take a back seat in world affairs (when their voice is no longer tolerated).
2006-09-21 08:30:06 · answer #7 · answered by flowerchilde 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm not sure. There is so many definitions twisted and confused right now....Its all a blur. But you know...Liberals love this country just as much as anyone else dose...and wish to build it up. Peace is the policy...and peace and terrorism do not mix.
2006-09-21 07:54:03 · answer #8 · answered by Angel of Man 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, let's take it alittle at a time.
Belief in Progress- It is obvious that the Economy is growing at a record pace due to the presidents tax cuts, you have more money in your pocket, you'll spend more and stimulate the economy. Liberals oppose this thinking, they vow to end tax cuts, therefore raising your taxes again, doesn't sound too progressive to me.
Belief in the essencial goodness of the human race- Oh I guess thats why Black America is thriving so well, Oh and how bout that Abortion thing and passing out Condoms to kids like candy. "Well their gonna do it like a bunch of monkeys anyway, we might as well accomidate them." Yea, their belief in our childrens ability to evolve is inspiring.
They stand for Civil Liberties only when it is Politically beneficial to them.
The Republican Party ended Slavery, yet all it took was for a few Liberals to join a few Marches and Black America quickly forgot who it was that told Rosa Parks to get to the back of the Bus.
2006-09-21 07:57:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
because many Americans haven't a clue what being patriotic and American really means. And because they simply have no argument thats real and so calling someone "unpatriotic" is easier then thinking and debating. Terms like flip-flopper apply here as well.
2006-09-21 08:11:34 · answer #10 · answered by Franklin 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋