Can you all see that the words Liberal and Conservative are now empty buzz words?

Question

They have been misused SOOOO much, they are now just tools used to label and insult an opponent. Their true meanings are long lost.

Yes Michael, but I see so many people do not really understand the words. They throw them around as any stereo-type.

Answer 1

Are you throwing these words around and using them as stereotypes? Don't you know what they mean?

There is nothing wrong with the name Conservative. I don't mind being called conservative or even neo-conservative. It is liberalism which has been so disappointing. Same with the name Progressive. The names are specious. They're all smoke and mirrors, to my dismay.

I wish the liberals accepted everybody equally and that they stand up for the little man. They don't. Political correctness has been shoved in our faces, defaming some of us. I feel like I'm constantly being judged. It's discomfiting.

So how do they stick up for the little guy? They serve them recycled emotions meant to
enslave for the party. There aren't many choices with liberalism. It's an opposite definition like the word Progressives. What are they doing? What have they done? Honestly. All smoke and mirrors. That's why I left them and became a Neo-conservative.

Answer 2

It's really the political party names that have been misused and misrepresented. The words conservative and liberal became innocent victims.... Republicans attach the word "conservative" to their party and Democrats attach "liberal" to theirs. In reality, both parties are neither. They're exactly the same, even though they try to create the illusion that there is a healthy level of debate to balance out the powers in this country. They do this to make everyone feel good, give the media something to write about, and get publicity. In reality, they are all looking out for themselves and by extension, each other. That's the easiest way to maintain and enhance their power, and thicken their wallets. Their normal constituents can't help them with that, so our interests don't even register with them.

Answer 3

the word "conservative" has a certain meaning in everyone's mind at least 2 meanings, that often go together for some reason.
1. conservative means low income taxes, with a minimum of social services; everyone should pick themselves up by their own bootstraps, a minimum of government "interference".
2. conservative can also refer to the attitude toward sexual mores; anti abortion; traditional marriage.
There is no reason, however, why both of these definitions need ot go together.

"Liberal", however, has lost its meaning because it is used in different ways all over the world.

In Europe and Australia, Liberal means a strong free market economy - in other words, the definition we gave to Conservative. In fact, in some countries, liberal is more "conservative" that what most Americans think of as conservative.
In the US, "liberal" seems ot refer to "openness" about "moral" issues: pro-choice, pro homosexual marriages, etc... In theology it means a very loose interpretation of the Bible or of whatever theological authority a particular religion has. As far as the economy is concerned, there is not a large difference with the conservatives, although they are generally perceived as being different.

I would prefer the designations "conservative" and "socialist". I think the choices would be much clearer that way. And a person can be "socialist" in economic questions without necessarily being "liberal" in other questions.

Answer 4

I suppose its the obvious conclusion of things... Republican and Democrat was blurred. You had people join each party in the last few decades more and more who didnt actually belong idealogically to the majority of hte party...

So people started using the ideology itself... then the ideologies themselves started fragmenting its almost like trying to categorize music.. well this is techno that is trance that over there is house thats triphop... this guy is a reagan conservative that one is a neocon.. that guy over there is a blue dog democrat, that one over there is progressive..

Im not sure if its empty or full of crap and we shoudl flush it all.

Answer 5

You're so right. Republicans traditionally were liberal minded with the belief that laws should be applied to smallest unit of government because that is Republicanism. (Republicans don't care what two consenting adults do in their privacy of their homes.) Democrats traditionally were conservative (example anti-choice) but they wanted the laws to applied liberally across all States.

Answer 6

I'm in total agreement with you. My favorites are Limosine Liberals and Lunch Box Conservatives.

Answer 7

Yes I can. The vast majority of politicians are criminals and compulsive liars on the take.

Lock every single damn corrupt politician alone in a dark dingy cell I say.

Answer 8

Its all relative. What would you like to call them? Just pick two words and try to get the rest of the country to agree. Good luck.

Answer 9

Your common sense will be missed by 95% of the people on this forum.

Answer 10

Not true , those terms have meaning but it shifts like everything human.