What is your definition of a liberal?

Question

Let's see if the PATRIOT Act has really restricted free speech

Answer 1

a somewhat naive and passive person who believes:
1. criminals are just misunderstood people who need therapy
2. that the wealth of the country should be redistributed as long as it is not any of their own money
3. that they are elite and smarter than anyone else
4. that poor people should be given just enough to keep them poor
5. that want to keep murderers alive but believe its ok to kill unborn babies because it helps keep down the population of "undesirables" (they won't admit that, though)
6. that sell late term and partial birth abortion to people who would otherwise find it unacceptable by sticking it under the banner of "women's rights"
7. that like to talk about ecology but basically do nothing to improve the environment
8. that think it's America's fault that terrorists hate us and if they could just dialogue with these fanatics that want to kill all infidels, they could surely make them see reason
9. that believe that minorities should be given something to make up for the fact that they really don't want to give them equality
10. that are disdainful of the very class of citizens they are trying to help out with the increase in minimum wage
11. want to raise taxes
12. are afraid to fight
13. need illegal immigration to boost the number of votes they can get
14. believe that people should be exterminated if their quality of life doesn't meet the liberal definition.

Answer 2

Lots of these answers are good (some are real bad).

This question REALLY needed to be asked, so kudos to you! Most americans really don't have a clue as to what a liberal is.

As for free-speech, that's a myth in america nowadays.. Something to make you believe that you are really ~free~.. when you don't have a clue.. The patriot act did indeed restrict it more (it's already rather restricted anyways).

I think sunsetsam said it all.

EDIT: Screw you losers thumbing me down! *doesnt care*

Answer 3

Someone who is NOT a classical Liberal, who wanted very little government and even less FROM government.

Today's American "liberal" is a misguided soul, who does all the wrong things for the right reasons. They believe in some idealized version of humanity, a version at odds with reality. For this reason, they think someone given unending welfare won't want to stay on welfare. They think that poor people are poor because of "society", not because they dropped out of school, didn't learn any skills, got into crime, got into drugs, or got pregnant young.

They think that the same inept, inefficient, wasteful and possibly corrupt bureaucracy that gave us the FEMA relief of Katrina victims will magically become all goodness and light if they can control our healthcare.

They think that criminals are not responsible for their actions.

They think they can negotiate with terrorists [Neville Chamberlain disease].

And the worst part is they never go back and look to see if their programs are working as they thought they would. If they did this, they would have discovered that government welfare and healthcare are bad ideas.

And their economic and fiscal policies are not sound.

I don't think they're evil or stupid or anything like what they call us conservatives. But they do make mistaken decisions based on idealistic beliefs rather than hard facts and the harsh reality of human nature.

Answer 4

A patriot. This country was founded by Liberals. The Brits and Tories were the Conservatives, and present-day Conservatives continue that tradition.

Answer 5

Someone drive by pure emtion.
They will ingore what science has to say in order to push their agenda.
Case in point stem cells. They claim that conservatives are against all stem cell study, but what they don't tell you is:
a) There are 72 cures found using adult stem cells
b) There hasn't been any found by fetal stem cells
c) The only source of stem cells conservatives are opposed to is those requiring the destruction of frozen embros.
d) There are other alternatives to frozen embros, ie cord blood etc.

The war on Muslim terrorists.
They think if we be nice to them they will leave us alone.
That is it the poor in the Middle East who are making up the terrorists ranks.
a) The hijackers on 9/11 were from all wealthy families. bin laden was a very rich man.
b) They started ploting 9/11 after we pull out of Africa after Black hawk down. They saw us as weak.

They claim to care about the poor but when you look at who really gives money and time to help it is Christian Conservatives who lead the pack.

They claim to care about global warming but still fly around in private jets, drive SUVs, have huge homes, and oppose wind farms near their homes.

Lets talk about Free Speech they couldn't make it on talk radio so they decide to try to pass the "Fairness act" Where they want equal time on the radio.

They have outlets like ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, etc.
Yet 1 network comes out with a different view they call it Faux News and lies lies. ( It doesn't matter if they are right and proven right)

They are more than willing to embrass all other religions but Christianity.

a) In California they were teaching kids Islam and take Islamic names if a Christian teacher try to teach the Bible they would go nuts.

To sum up liberals talk a good game but it is conservatives who do the work and fight for freedoms they love using but don't respect those who give it to them.

Answer 6

Try saying something about a high official in our US govenment that is perceived as threatening and see how fast they come and get you. That is what the Patriot Act does. Spies on what we say on the net and on the phone.

The worst case of a liberal expects others to take care of them.
The best case of a liberal believes in civil liberties and sharing your talents and money with those that have no talents and no money.

Answer 7

Liberal: someone who thinks of others, cares for others, and sees things in a practical, long-term range vs. immediate gratification for the power-elite.

That was fun! Let's have another..........BTW, I don't get the Patriot Act reference. Seems that the powers-that-be would have more immediate priorities than monitoring Yahoo! Answers' Politics category.....such as wiretapping people's phones minus warrant?

Answer 8

If you were to use women as examples(not being a bigot toward women) the liberals would be the loose side of the woman, giving in to anything to please. Where the conservatives would be the clean housewife. Respectful and able to stay within protocol.

Answer 9

Liberal: Someone who thinks they are open-minded and care about all, but in reality are so close-minded they can't see the truth in many cases. And rather than open there minds to other peoples opinions they would rather silence them and shut the mouths of any one who opposes them.

Answer 10

I would say that a liberal attitude is one that has a bias toward new ideas and solutions while a conservative attitude is one that has a bias toward holding the status qua.

Neither attitude precludes using new ideas or holding the status qua.

Hmm. looks like the dictionary got 6 thumbs down.