I ask this question because according to Webster's dictionary Liberal means respectful of the ideas of others, and also favoring democratic reform and the use of governmental resources to effect social change. Isn't this what our forefathers envisioned for our nation?
2007-07-26 05:13:25 · 13 answers · asked by perception 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Our forefathers were politicians just as we have politicians now. And though some of them believed what you state as "Liberal", others did not.
Though the one thing they all agreed on was the Constitution.
Speaking for myself, I have never equated Liberal as a "bad word" it's just a word describing the belief set of those in the Democrat Party. What makes the assumation that it's a "bad word" is the unwillingness of those on the left to accept it as who they are. It is this action that Conservatives find dis-honest and very wierd. There are leaders on the left who refuse to accept the term, and will make public statements to the fact, placing their refusal of the term in the public spot light.
So it is not surprising that some people believe that Conservatives use Liberal as a bad word, due to the actions of those leaders who are labeled it.
2007-07-26 05:22:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because of what leftists / Democrats have twisted "liberalism" into.
At one time, "liberalism" referred to the radical idea that an individual should have maximum liberty to live his or her life as he/she sees fit, without interference or "help" from the government, save the few very basic services that only a government can handle (i.e. conducting wars, entering into treaties, national defense, etc)
It didn't include government provided health care, food, housing, retirement benefits, or government dictating wages, or whether smoking is allowed in the workplace, etc.
Jefferson would be appalled at the tyranny being done in the name of "liberalism".
2007-07-26 05:37:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes... and conservatism actually refers to the protecting of the old ways. throughout history, democracy has developed through liberalism which advocates individual liberty... yes, in comparison to today changes undergone 100 years ago seem very conservative today, but back then they were very liberal and looked bad at by the people of the old ways (conservatives)
2007-07-26 05:20:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The true meanings of Liberalism and Conservatism have nothing to do with Liberals and Conservatives.
2007-07-26 05:17:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Today, liberalism is a swear word. Our founding fathers envisioned no such thing. They advocated states rights and a small central government.
Liberals want the government to run everything. Liberals want to run the government.
2007-07-26 05:18:20 · answer #5 · answered by regerugged 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Today's political liberals aren't liberal, they're collectivists.
The term as it was used 100 years ago, we like that a lot -- it basically meant what "libertarian" means now.
2007-07-26 05:16:31 · answer #6 · answered by truthisback 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
When I think Liberal it conjuers up images of Gulags, Long gas Lines, Stalin, Michael Moore, castro ect...
2007-07-26 05:26:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It just shows how unintelligent republicans are.They are told liberal is a bad thing so they believe it and repeat it.
2007-07-26 06:00:39 · answer #8 · answered by Sid 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because it's a good (by that I mean efficient) way to attack an entire group that they disagree with.
None of this annoying having to think about the issues, no messy waste of time dealing with specific individuals.
One bash, and you've attacked a hundred million people under a single label.... very efficient.
2007-07-26 05:17:41 · answer #9 · answered by coragryph 7 · 2⤊ 4⤋
"Respectful of the ideas of others"???
I'd say Webster needs to update his dictionary.
2007-07-26 05:17:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋