Why do many Americans seem to think liberals are radicals?

Question

Countries like Canada, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark are very liberal. These countries may be many things, but radical is certainly not one of them...

Answer 1

Right-wingers are very careless with their terminology, which is invective to them. A Liberal = a socialist = a communist = a satanist, and now they're trying to pin Islamic extremism on us, too, when they're a profoundly CONSERVATIVE religious movement.

Answer 2

We have been controled by Conservative Republicans for a long time now. They have worked to make Conservatives seem like the norm and anything left of that radical. Take a Michigan Senate Primary between two Republicans: Both were Conservative but one constantly labeled the other as a Liberal because he didn't vote with Republicans on one bill. Conservatives want the American Public to see the Right Wing as normal and anything else as Radical.

Answer 3

Because that is the spin (that to be liberal is to be radical and anti-American) the Republicans have put on the word "liberal" and the Dems and liberals won't just "own" the word. They try to shake it like a bad flu, which makes it worse.
That's why I liked Howard Dean. He was a rabid liberal, and admitted it freely. We need more Dems to say, "I'm liberal and proud" and shake the dust off of that word.

Answer 4

It depends what your definition of radical is... Especially in the case of the Netherlands. Marijuana legalization and legalized prostitution would be radical to most people.

You must be listening to Rush Limbaugh.....

Answer 5

Someone said we are living in Hell under the Radical Religious Right. I believe we live in the greatest country on earth. If you don't like it MOVE!!!

Answer 6

Left--------Right

Radical-----Radical

---America----

We lose when the Left and the Right are as radical as they are today. Why life is HELL under the Radical Religious Right we're under now. They stimulate the whack jobs on each side.


Bush=THE DIVIDER!!!!

Answer 7

Don't base your opinions of Americans on what you read here on Y!Answers because most of the time its just ignorant people saying ignorant things because this is the only place that nobody can follow them home.

Answer 8

Because their rhetoric is radical. Listen to Howard Dean, John Kerry, and the liberal press. Their dialogue is downright anti-American.

Answer 9

You cannot compare other countries Liberals to our Liberals. They do not want to change the whole government of their countries. The liberals here do. They want to take a Democratic capitalist society and turn it into a socialist government. Big difference. Don't insult liberals around the world in your comparisons.

Answer 10

In their opinion anyone who doesn't agree with their limited viewpoint is a radical.