Does ANYONE on here know what the terms "Liberal" and "Conservative" ACTUALLY mean??

Question

People use those terms on here ALL of the time, but I don't think many know what they mean. Just to further educate both sides, here:

Conservatives have a "conservative" view of the constitution. They read it word-for-word, and do not want any laws not specifically stated in it.

Liberals have a "liberal" view of the Constitution. They try to read into it more, and try to decipher the writer's intentions while writing it.

For instance, the Abortion issue. It is not specifically stated in the Constitution, so Conservatives believe it should be decided by the States. However, Liberals think it fall under the "right to privacy" in the 14th Amendment. I am not saying which is right, just wanted to let you guys know.

So now you know, and knowing is half the battle. Right?

--BTW, my question is 'Did you know this", so I DID actually ask a question...

Answer 1

In theory, you have a point. In practice, many self described liberals, conservatives, libertarians, etc hold views much different than those theoretical definitions.

Where does it say "right to privacy" in the 14th amendment?

Amendment 14 - Citizenship Rights. Ratified 7/9/1868. Note History

1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.

3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.

5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.

Answer 2

The significance of the terms Conservative & Liberal have evolved to mean "extreme right wing" and "extreme left wing".
They are political terms, not based in logic. Each party identifies with its "BASE" and those bases represent only the extremes. Therefore we cannot get political leaders past the primary elections that identify with less extreme views and, on the national level, that creates political divisions with a gulf between that cannot allow for compromize and political unity.
This factor is blocking progress and destroying America.
Anyone who does not vote in the primaries cannot complain about not liking the candidates on the ballots in November.
In normal English, a conservitive is one who conserves. It does NOT mean one who preserves. Therefore, change is possible but should be approached with caution. On other issues, such as environmental issues, a conservative will conserve the environment, not waste it.
From the more extreme Liberal view point, democracy rules, the U.S. government is not considered to be a republic, only a democracy.
Therefore, whatever you can convince the majority to demand by pushing popular propaganda is what should be done without serious regard for constitutional or legal prescident.

Answer 3

Hey, quit confusing us with the facts! :)

Actually, that's about as good a capsule summary as I've seen as far as the approach to law and the constitution. But the two ends of the political spectrum do take in more than that. Another dimension ( of several) is this: liberals tend to regard an activist government as useful in addressing social problems, while conservatives usually think its better for the government to stay out of such issues and allow the market and/or priate institutions handle them. BTW--here's a historical irony: when the Constitution was written, the approach of "literal interpretation of law" and hands-off in social issues was a feature of classical liberalism--while the idea of an interventionist state and interpretive law was considered conservative! LOL

Answer 4

Real liberals were concerned to protect individual rights and to reform society.

Real conservatives adhered to preserving the best of the past and keeping society free from foreign military adventures.

Both have betrayed their heritage. The word "conservative" used to mean small government. Today it is the so-called "conservative" Republicans who favor big government. They think the government should tell you who you should marry, what prayers you should pray in school, and how the Schiavo family should make decisions about family members. And they are eager to send our troops overseas to meddle in other countries' affairs.

The once-honorable words "liberal" and "conservative" have been hijacked. Genuine liberals and conservatives like Benjamin Disraeli, Gladstone and Edmund Burke are rolling in their graves.

Answer 5

My daddy said the conservatives were Republicans like Teddy Roosevelt, Abe Lincoln and Dwight D. Ike. Most Conservatives I talk to nowdays say OOOOh Noooo.

Answer 6

re Yupchag,

Although the word privacy is not used the subject is covered in the fourth amendment.
Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Answer 7

i agree with what you say but would like to add that in general terms conservatives like to retain traditions while liberals try to push things forward i also wont comment on which is better. i just add it because these are not terms used only in america but in most democratic countries.

Answer 8

These days it is the difference between Good and Evil

The old terminology does not apply

Sad, but its fact

A Liberal is for Truth, Freedom, Peace and Security

A Conservative is for Outsourcing, Foreign Policy, Contracting and War

Answer 9

Liberal is when you get a generous portion of ice cream, and Conservative is when you don't.

Answer 10

no abortion or abortion
war or no war
common sense or no common sense
hate or no hate
understanding or no understanding.