Why does no one on yahoo answers seem to know what the word liberal actually means??

Answer 1

Neocons have twisted the meaning of liberal to be an insult. Now they hate that the word neocon has become an insult.

This country was founded by liberals.
Famous American Liberals: Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King

Liberalism refers to a broad array of related doctrines, ideologies, philosophical views, and political traditions which advocate individual liberty.[1] Liberalism has its roots in the Western Age of Enlightenment, but the term has taken on different meanings in different time periods.

Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights. It seeks a society characterized by freedom of thought for individuals, limitations on power (especially of government and religion), the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market economy that supports free private enterprise, and a transparent system of government in which the rights of all citizens are protected.[2] In modern society, liberals favor a liberal democracy with open and fair elections, where all citizens have equal rights by law and an equal opportunity to succeed.[3]

Many new liberals advocate a greater degree of government influence in the free market to protect individual rights (in a broad sense), often in the form of anti-discrimination laws, universal education, and progressive taxation. This philosophy frequently extends to a belief that the government should provide for a degree of general welfare, including benefits for the unemployed, housing for the homeless, and medical care for the sick. Such publicly-funded initiatives in the market are rejected as interference by modern advocates of classical liberalism, which emphasizes free private enterprise, individual property rights and freedom of contract; classical liberals hold that economic inequality, as arising naturally from competition in the free market, does not justify the violation of private property rights.

Answer 2

Here are some famous liberals from our past. George Washington, John Adams, Sam Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Pinkney, Patrick Henry, Pau Revere, Franklin Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt, John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Martin Luther King, Jr.

A liberal is someone who desires change for the betterment of all. A liberal looks at the Constitution and sees the spirit of the law as he understands that a 200 year old document must be applicable today as it was then. A liberal appreciates diversity and difference of opinion. For it is difference of opinion, diversity, and dissent that make and keep democracies strong. An uber liberal can sometimes go too far in his caring for others and filling their needs. Unlike the uber conservative who often doesn't go far enough. A liberal is optimistic. He sees the glass as half full not as a conservative who sees the glass as half empty. The liberal looks to a bright and exciting future with many innovations and ideas that make our lives better. Liberals look forward where conservatives look back.

Answer 3

Actually minds State control (the wrong way -- Leviathan - live unde no profit and lose system / living with the others tax/money:-

The clasicc liberal (Mises way) is the only choice to reach really progress for all ...................
mises.com
No Left no Rigth, no Politicinas loking for power and Money, Warfare and Welfare,
Liberal is the clasic liberal way who believe in peace, people choices, market (where everyone take his own decision in life), (State do not make anything that society need, better than the market and private (wokers and entreprenuars)......................

Answer 4

if you are talking about the Webster definition then"
1. of, relating to, or based on the liberal arts
2. marked by generosity
3. lacking moral restraint
4. a person who is of a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, and the autonomy of the individual and standing for the protection of political and civil liberties

Some how in our great political system, liberal has come to be associated with those who are just the opposite of 4 above. Liberals today want the government to secure your personal freedom; however, that is a contradiction of the principle of liberalism, thus rendering those who act in such a manner hypocritical. That is why when a conservative and a liberal sit down to a debate over real issues or even liberal issues, the conservative wins every time. The liberal has no real basis upon which to stand because he is hypocritical in his stance.

Further, those who claim to be moderate really have a very difficult stance. Do they side with those whose actions are clear and whose logic is well supported or do they stand with someone who has no basis for their arguement? Tough choice wouldn't you say.

Answer 5

I'll take a stab at it; Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, John Kerry, Ted Kennedy, to name a few - watch what they do and you'll arrive at a conclusion of what liberal means, i.e., Liberal is as liberal does.

Answer 6

If the conservatives dislike liberals so much then why do they quote and compliment John F Kennedy when they run for office

Answer 7

I've always said Democrats like Hillary are socialists in liberal clothing. Does that work?

Answer 8

If you were any kind of real liberal you would understand that everyone has their own idea. Liberal thinking is supposed to give latitude to an issue, but you don't seem to buy into that.

Answer 9

Because the term has been tossed around so much by conservatives who are interested in applying a negative sounding label to anyone that disagrees with them.

The truth is that 75% of all Americans are really moderates (both parties) No one really is in favor of our politics to go to extremes.

Answer 10

After reading what you've written on here, either you are wrong or everyone else in this country is wrong.