What does being a liberal mean?

Answer 1

It means you believe in things that your heart tells you are right and wrong, not what some else tells you what is right or wrong.

A liberal is someone who tends to puts the rights of the individual in front of the beliefs of a group.

Let the conservative flogging begin !

Answer 2

Right now in politics the line is blurred, and there's also religious liberalism and conservatism.

Generally, a liberal wants more government and a conservative wants less. Sort of the opposite of what we have now.

A traditional conservative view would be, "Lower taxes, scale back the government so it gives you courts and schools. That's it." Pro: Makes it harder for government corruption to get very far. Con: A lot of people who need help don't get it.

A traditional liberal view would be, "Raise taxes, make the government bigger, add more welfare programs and more helpful things in general." Pro: Everyone gets what they need. Con: It can be more beaurocratic than a conservative government and it gives the government a lot more power; all it takes is one bad president and the country can end up going downhill pretty fast.

A religious conservative takes a more literal view of the Bible, a religious liberal takes a more interpretive one.

There are too many differences with individual factions and individual people for me to give you a decent answer, sorry.

Answer 3

Being liberal means having an understanding that a citizenry has the responsibility to each other, that we must care for the least of our citizens and help them better their situations. It means a nation must adapt at times to an ever changing world. In todays world it means tolerance to different lifestyles and faiths. It means the people of a nation are not less important than the nation itself.

Answer 4

Platform of the New York Liberal Party:
Reproductive Freedom

The Liberal Party supports a woman's right to choose abortion and rejects all measures to restrict this basic civil right. Women should have access to information on all the alternatives available to them so that they are able to make informed decisions. Abortions, birth control measures and decent pre- and neo-natal health care should be available to all women, regardless of their ability to pay. We support the expansion of programs which provide for sex education and availability of condoms to young people as a means to promote responsible sexual behavior, prevent against the spread of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases and reduce teen pregnancy.

Health Care

The Liberal Party believes that access to affordable, decent health care for all is the mark of a civilized society and supports universal health insurance. No American should die because of a lack of financial resources. In addition, health care dollars must be spent more efficiently. Non-emergency patients currently forced to use expensive hospital emergency rooms should instead have access to community-based primary medical facilities and preventative programs. Alternative cost-effective care, including at-home and hospice care should be made available to those not requiring hospitalization.

Education

The Liberal Party believes that a quality public school system is essential for equality of opportunity for all Americans, regardless of economic circumstances. We have consistently opposed all measures, including tuition tax credits, to fund private and parochial schools with taxpayer dollars. These proposals can only serve to destroy the viability of our public school system and raise serious constitutional questions regarding the separation of church and state. All students who have the desire and ability to pursue higher education should be able to do so and should be financially assisted, when necessary, so as to enable them to fully realize their potential.

Crime

Government's first responsibility is to protect its citizens from harm; the right to safety is the most basic civil right. Individuals who commit crimes must be held responsible for their actions. The Liberal Party supports life imprisonment without parole legislation and is opposed to the death penalty. Capital punishment has never been a deterrent to crime and the state ought not resort to this ultimate brutality.

Civic Responsibility

The Liberal Party believes it is a privilege to be an American citizen. Those who reap the benefits of our enduring democracy, the freedoms we enjoy and our economic system have a duty and obligation to give back something positive to the nation. We believe all citizens must partake in the electoral process. There is no greater threat to the survival of our democracy than the apathy of the people.

The Environment

New York, the United States, and the world are in the grip of an environmental crisis. This crisis not only threatens the survival of endangered species and habitats, it threatens the health and well-being of the human population as well. We can no longer ignore the long-term effects of human activities on the environment. It is essential that environmental considerations and costs be fully taken into account by government and business alike.

Civil Rights

Certain groups within our society have historically suffered discrimination due to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and economic class. The Liberal Party supports comprehensive civil rights legislation to ensure that members of such groups are not discriminated against, either in or outside of the workplace.

Answer 5

Liberal. (Adj)
Fair minded, tolerant, easy going, noble minded, candid, free, generous and broad minded.
I do hope that you agree with that.

Answer 6

CONSERVATIVE, n. A statesman who is enamored of existing evils, as distinguished from the Liberal, who wishes to replace them with others.

Answer 7

Never getting to form a government unless invited to join a coalition.

Answer 8

Simple, standing up for the right not to stand up for anything

Obviously, my answer is not popular with our liberal friends but it is the undeniable truth.

Answer 9

It means your not a conservative

Answer 10

Basically, you're unable or unwilling to make a choice, so you 'sit' in the middle.. :)