Why do conservatives think that calling somebody a liberal is a grave insult?

Question

I consider myself somewhat of a liberal, I guess as most Americans I lean to the right on some issues and to the left in others, but on the scale, I will be more liberal than conservative, so, should I be offended for thinking myself a liberal? Isn't our system of government set up in such a way that ideas are discussed in an adversarial system and it is through this exchange of ideas that we make our country better? I guess that if everybody thought the same way, it will be pretty boring. What is the fun in that?

Answer 1

At least you asked a real question.
And as with your description of yourself, not all people who would classify themselves as liberals are the same.
Well not all conservatives are the same either.

I respect people who ask real questions and are thoughful even if I dont agree with them.

Answer 2

The strategy of the Republicans since the Carter Administration has been to associate the word "Liberal" with everything they feel is bad in society: drug addicts, gays, felons, atheists, communists, pedophiles, et al. Liberal soon meant you were an outsider; and not a member of their "club."

For a long time, the strategy has worked; even Liberals cringed when they were called Liberals.

Now that the Foley, Haggard, Gingrich, Cunningham, Limbaugh, et al scandals of self-righteous, hypocritical Cons have surfaced, being Liberal is not so bad, after all :)

Answer 3

We do not consider calling someone a liberal an insult. It is no more an insult then calling someone a conservative. It is simply stating a fact and is not intended as an insult.

Answer 4

More importantly, why do liberals shy away from the title?

Hanoi John Kerry was proclaimed "Most Liberal Senator" in 2004 but he certainly did not trumpet this fact during his campaign. On the contrary, he played up his military credentials and went on a phony "hunting trip".

Answer 5

There mad that the Congress was taken away from them so now any one that sides with the democrats is a liberal,who knows what goes through some peoples minds.
and they don't want a give and take all they want is to take and tell every one what to do, that will never work in this country.

Answer 6

Because conservatives really believe they are right and everybody is wrong. As a liberal, I am proud, though I don't think that you must be wrong if we disagree.
An example is abortion. Personally, I am against it. Not for religious or social reasons, but I don't 'like' it. However, I am more against the government getting into our doctors' offices and telling us we can't do this or that.
So, while I choose to not participate in abortion, I don't want it outlawed or banned.

Answer 7

Conservatives dont think that calling someone a liberal is a grave insult just like a liberal calling a conservative is not an insult. If someone calls you white and you are white, are you insulted? Dont be ashamed of who you are just because someone thinks differently than you.

Answer 8

I do not think it is an insult but only a label. It is the left wing George Soros commies that I PERSONALLY think are the reason that OTHER more moderate liberals MAY be insulted.

Answer 9

Where I grew up, Liberal, Democrat, and Yankee were all synonyms.....and all grounds for an @ss-whooping. As I moved out, saw the world, got an education...I realized how close-minded this line of thinking is. That's why I'm a libertarian...though I maintain my right to lay a smack-down on anyone who calls me a Yank.

Answer 10

I like to think that the vast majority of republicans are good people who don't want to behave like school yard bullies.

However, I do find in places like Yahoo! Questions, you tend to find the extremists who poison the discourse with their dogma.

It's kind of like I'd imagine being in the audience of the Jerry Springer show, b***h slapping the rubes on stage.

As long as the malcontents want to make trouble, the pimp hand will stay in practice.