Are you a Liberal? If not why?

Question

What do our friends mean when they apply the label "Liberal?" If by "Liberal" they mean, as they want people to believe, someone who is soft in their policies abroad, who is against local government, if by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and civil liberties -- one who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, is this what they mean by a "Liberal," then would you not be proud to say "I am a "Liberal."

Now don't attack the messenger, answer the question with intelligence.

Answer 1

I am a liberal. I am that primarily because I believe in personal liberty,which, if I understand a little history is the major reason why this country separated itself from European monarchy.

Conservatives do NOT believe in this freedom but see huge bureaucracies dictating the activities of each and every person as the proper role of government. They hearken back to the ancient superstition that those in power were appointed by god.

During the revolution Liberals were "patriots" fighting and dying to liberate America. Conservatives were "loyalists" that is loyal to a foreign power, the king if England.

Liberals deplored slavery. Conservatives were slave holders.

Liberals formed labor unions so no one would have to work 80 hour weeks and child labor would have to stop. Conservatives argued that union organizers were traitors and needed to be hanged.

Harry Truman, FDR, Teddy Roosevelt, were all liberals. Joe McCarthy, Nixon and Mark Foley notorious Florida congressman and pedophile were and are conservatives.

Answer 2

I answered a question, to my regret. a while ago that showed pictures of people at a protest at Berkley. The people who were photographed were burning flags, burning Bush in effigy, were not wearing a stitch, carried signs that said "down with America"; you get the idea. This is what this conservative asker equates with being a liberal. Although I really don't like labeling people, shouldn't these people have some other label applied to them?

Of course, I basically said that this is not what represents me or the majority of people in this country who would call themselves a democrat or liberal. I also said that Berkley was where the hippie movement began as well. They were not liberals either. I don't know what they teach at Berkley, but apparently it is quite different from the rest of the country. So, I appreciate your definition of "liberal" and wish I would have answered the question more in that vein.

Answer 3

YesI am a Liberal, and proud to say I am. Conservatism seems to me a platform of negativity while not allowing for the best in people to come through. There is no middle ground with Conservatives. They feel they are right and you either agree or are wrong. Take religion for example; Conservatives are quick to point out the constitution has a clause requiring the separation of church and state. However, these same people fail to remember, or may not know, the constitution also has a provides for the free expression of religion and says government cannot disrupt the free expression of religion. Therefore, if you aren't a Christian, you're going to hell. Look it up, if you don't believe me. I'm too honest to be a Conservative.

Answer 4

No, I am not a Liberal, and proud to say I'm not. Liberalism seems to me to a platform of negativity while not allowing for the best in people to come through. There is no middle ground with liberals. They feel they are right and you either agree or are wrong. Take religion for example; Liberals are quick to point out the constitution has a clause requiring the separation of church and state. However, these same people fail to remember, or may not know, the constitution also has a provides for the free expression of religion and says government cannot disrupt the free expression of religion. Look it up, if you don't believe me. I'm too honest to be a liberal.

Answer 5

Your description is apples and oranges...... If your description in your question describes you..then fine... You are, however missing the mark by a mile... In American politics.. "Liberal" usually refers to politicians that want more government involvement (NANNY GOVERNMENT), Higher taxes and over all redistribution of wealth... Many Liberals have a disdain for RELIGION AND TRADITIONAL VALUES. Don't believe me? Read YA for a while...An American Liberal is quite east to recognize.... follow their politics or read their Blogs....Lots of hateful things said by Liberals...

On a personal note... I find many liberals to be il-informed and full of emotion... Most Liberals can't give you a rational description of Bush OR Clinton Policy.... only innuendo and b*tching..

Your description REALLY reminds me of what the Democratic party USED TO BE..prior to the Liberals taking it over...

Being a Republican takes more work...To be a Republican or even a Conservative...it helps to have stayed awake in high school History class... And you have to keep up with current events... Not always...but often Liberals are "feelers" and Conservatives are "thinkers"

Lastly... Both groups have some common goals...but different methods to achieve them.

Answer 6

I am very much a liberal, and proud to call myself one. I think it's disgusting how the right, for almost three decades now, have taken the term and used it as an "insult."

Answer 7

If by liberal you mean a nationalized healthcare system that burdens the tax payers and invites abuse of a free system, no thanks.
If by liberal you mean raising my taxes to pay for social services for those too lazy to fend for themselves, no thanks.
If by liberal you mean the legalization for murder (AKA Roe V Wade), no thanks.
If by liberal you mean reducing the spending ang strength of our armed forces, no thanks.
If by liberal you mean blocking an amendment (which only liberals did) to protect our flag from being desacrated as a show of free speech, no thanks.
If by liberal you mean changing a 3000 yr old tradition to legalize gay marriage, no thanks.
If by liberal you mean resticting free speech for the "Fairness Doctrine", no thanks.

Im not a liberal because I work for a living and simply think I know how to spend my money better than the Federal GOVT does. If Ive left anything out, just add a "no thanks" in there.

Answer 8

Conservative believe in the same thing. It is the way they approach the problem that is different. Conservative believe in people and not the government in getting things done. Conservatives feel every time the government does something the private sector can, you lose a freedom. So, why are you a liberal? Don't you believe in people and freedom?

Answer 9

Just about everything you mention about Liberals and Conservatives is now the polar opposite.

As has happened several times in our nation's history, the political parties have reversed themselves. Conservatives used to tenaciously hold on to what they considered timeless values, while Liberals were seen as a breath of fresh air. Conservatives used to be pessimists, while Liberals had boundless hope for the future.

Boy has that flip-flopped!

Liberals don't even pretend to come up with good, original, and comprehensive plans. They just nitpick at Conservatives who are the only ones who formulate real, comprehensive, and feasible plans. Liberals should read the following quote by Teddy Roosevelt, and then take a good look at themselves in the mirror:

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

So, I think I've established that Conservatives are now the ones who look ahead, not behind.

Let me take on your list, item by item.

Health: 85% of Americans have health care. Most people who do not have their priorities screwed up. The government even gives substantial tax credits now for having proper health care, so cost is not such a big issue. How many people who claim they can't afford health insurance have DSL, satellite tv, have $3 coffees at Starbucks, buy their kids $100 athletic shoes, etc. Heck, if someone just gave up smoking they'd have plenty of money to pay for health insurance. Cost is only a factor for a very small percentage, and that could be remedied without Hillary's nutty (and drastic) bid for Socialized medicine.

Housing? I have no idea what you're talking about here. Sorry.

Schools? Bush was the only progressive thinker about this issue. If the "No Child Left Behind" act doesn't finally make schools deliver on education, then the program is not being followed properly. Conservatives care more about education than Liberals who tend to support the whiny teachers who talk a lot more about getting higher salaries than teaching kids.

Jobs? Conservatives certainly win this argument! During the Presidential debates, the candidates were asked what they would do about unemployment. Kerry put on his best sad, hound dog face to mimic real human compassion, and gave some pathetic line about how unemployment was no ones fault. He talked about creating some nightmarishly large and complicated bureaucracy to combat it.

That is what is called wh@ring for votes....

What did Bush say? He reminded us all that unless people develop in-demand skills, they will always be at risk of losing their jobs. The government can't change that. He also reminded people of the incredible community college system we have here; completely unique in the world, so adults can continue their education. Lastly, he reminded us that we all get tax credits for furthering our education, and companies often give bonuses or a higher pay level to people with upgraded credentials.

See? Kerry just wanted to placate people. Bush looked for a solution, just as he did in education.

Civil rights and civil liberties: Thank Bush for provisions such as the Patriot Act (which have not injured any innocent person). By keeping us safe, Bush has made drastic measure, such as those in WWII, unnecessary.

Regarding our foreign policy, Conservatives wisely follow Reagan's adage of "Trust, but verify". Clinton made a deal with North Korea, but never checked up on whether they were complying, leaving the mess for Bush to clean up. Our nation has every reason to be distrustful of other nations, because they simply do not tell the truth. Look at Iran, thumbing their nose at world condemnation and trying to make us believe they aren't working at developing nukes. The CIA has already conclusively proven Iran was working with material whose only purpose is nukes.

Why am I a Conservative? As Winston Churchill said, "If at 20 you're not a Liberal, you don't have a heart. But if at 40 you're not a Conservative, you don't have a brain."

Answer 10

Just one question. What does it mean to be liberal? I am an American. I want every able bodied person to work, not expect me to keep them. I want every unborn child to have a right to life. Who says the mother has more rights? I want my country to be strong enough to keep me and my children safe. Which means I have to pay to keep it strong. I sure don't want to have to ask for help from some other country when invaded by another, which it seems to me so many other countries have to. Seems simple. Love for children of all ages, even unborn and safety for all. Guess by todays guild lines that makes me conservative.