What exactly is a liberal, and why do so many people hate them?

Answer 1

You decide how anybody could hate the liberal ideals. From Wikipedia: Liberalism is an ideology, philosophical view, and political tradition which holds that liberty is the primary political value.[1] Liberalism has its roots in the Western Enlightenment, but the term now encompasses a diversity of political thought.

Broadly speaking, contemporary liberalism emphasizes individual rights. It seeks a society characterized by 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, and a transparent system of government in which the rights of all citizens are protected. [2] In modern society, liberals favor a liberal democracy with open and fair elections, where all citizens have equal rights by law and an equal opportunity to succeed[3].

Many liberals advocate a greater degree of government interference in the free market, often in the form of anti-discrimination laws, civil service examinations, universal education, and progressive taxation. This philosophy frequently extends to a belief that the government should provide for a degree of general welfare, including benefits for the unemployed, housing for the homeless, and medical care for the sick. Such publicly-funded initiatives and interferences in the market are rejected by modern advocates of classical liberalism, which emphasizes free private enterprise, individual property rights and freedom of contract; classical liberals hold that economic inequality, as arising naturally from competition in the free market, does not justify the violation of private property rights. However, modern advocates of classical liberalism do advocate a heavier taxation on the corporation, as opposed to the current trend of the burden of income tax resting on the shoulders of the individual worker, as did the early classical liberals.

Liberalism rejected many foundational assumptions which dominated most earlier theories of government, such as the Divine Right of Kings, hereditary status, and established religion. Fundamental human rights that all liberals support include the right to life, liberty, and property. Liberalism has its roots in the Western Enlightenment, but the term now encompasses a diversity of political thought, with adherents spanning a large part of the political spectrum.

A broader use of the term liberalism is in the context of liberal democracy (see also constitutionalism). In this sense of the word, it refers to a democracy in which the powers of government are limited and the rights of citizens are legally defined; this applies to nearly all Western democracies, and therefore is not solely associated with liberal parties.

Answer 2

A liberal is any individual who follows the political ideology known as liberalism. This ideology states that individual liberties are very important, and not just liberties laid out in the Bill of Rights. Of equal importance is the opportunity to lead a healthy, happy life. Therefore, to secure these additional liberties, governmental support should provide for basic necessities such as health care, unemployment, social security, job assistance, etc. They also believe strongly in a regulated and fair economy, not just an open one. They adhere to the European originating idea of noblisse oblige, or the obligation of the wealthy, to do their part through taxes and donations to help those less fortunate than themselves so as to maintain a stable and safe society.

People hate liberals because they are close minded and unable to accept the fact that a differing opinion is possible. This applies to anyone who espouses hatred of any other group, political or otherwise. Liberals, conservatives, socialists, libertarians, whatever, all have at the core of their motivations what they feel is best for society, they simply disagree on the best method to achieve these goals.

Answer 3

You either watch too much Fox News Channel or listen to too much talk radio. In theory the only ones who hate are conservatives. Liberals, by definition, practice tolerance. Isn't it hypocritical that the conservative Christians, who claim to try to live as Jesus lived, are the most hate filled and intolerant?

Liberalism: constituting a political ideology associated with ideals of individual especially economic freedom, greater individual participation in government, and constitutional, political, and administrative reforms designed to secure these objectives

Answer 4

A Liberal is one who believes we are all in this together and not every man for himself. Some people hate them because they have a generalization of a Liberal from right wing media or just protecting the father figure from any evidence of weakness.

Answer 5

maximum American Jews are liberals- are you asserting they hate Israel too??? i became into born in Israel, so i don't hate it, yet i think of the Israeli government is endangering the destiny and risk-free practices of the Israeli those with its fanatical habit in the direction of any and all Arabs and Muslims. The UN agreed on 2 separate states- one Jewish and one Arab, interior the British Mandate of Palestinian. that's what's needed right this moment- 2 self reliant states. do not confuse the difficulty with your stupid rhetoric. Conservative evangelical Christians do not very own Israel. Israel isn't your puppy. you're mad at liberals considering the fact which you think of that Israel is your individual reason, that's rather unusual certainly.

Answer 6

A "liberal" is someone who points out Bush's falsehoods. It doesn't matter what their political philosophy is.

Answer 7

A liberal is someone who will kill an unborn baby with no problem,then complain if someone slaps a filthy terrorist around.
We hate them because they hate America.
Some would say(like me)that liberalism is a mental disorder,like homosexuality.

Answer 8

A liberal is a strange creature. it has no spine, no balls, no brains and no morals. it also has a yellow liver and a tendency to stick it's oversize fat head in the sand (though some say up it's own a..)

Answer 9

those who hate liberals don't know the definition,, that's the truth

Answer 10

I thought everybody hated the Republicans.......but what do I know?