Quote:
Originally Posted by Ilithiad
Based upon the definitions on wikipedia I would have to say I am a cultural liberal as explained here
Cultural liberalism focuses on the rights of individuals pertaining to conscience and lifestyle, including such issues as sexual freedom, religious freedom, cognitive freedom, and protection from government intrusion into private life. John Stuart Mill aptly expressed cultural liberalism in his essay "On Liberty," when he wrote,
“ The sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. ”
Cultural liberalism generally opposes government regulation of literature, art, academics, gambling, sex, prostitution, abortion, birth control, terminal illness, alcohol, and cannabis and other controlled substances. Most liberals oppose some or all government intervention in these areas. The Netherlands, in this respect, may be the most liberal country in the world today.
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I take all this back I am a social democrat.
Views of social democrats today
In general, contemporary social democrats support[citation needed]:
A mixed economy consisting mainly of private enterprise, but with government owned or subsidized programs of education, healthcare, child care and related services for all citizens.
Government bodies that regulate private enterprise in the interests of workers, consumers and fair competition.
Advocacy of fair trade over free trade.
An extensive system of social security (although usually not to the extent advocated by democratic socialists or other socialist groups), with the stated goal of counteracting the effects of poverty and insuring the citizens against loss of income following illness, unemployment or retirement.
Moderate to high levels of taxation (through a value-added and/or progressive taxation system) to fund government expenditure.
Social democrats also tend to support:
Environmental protection laws (although not always to the extent advocated by Greens), such as combating global warming and increasing alternative energy funding.
Support for (legal)immigration and multiculturalism.
A secular and progressive social policy, although this varies markedly in degree. Most social democrats now support gay marriage and abortion rights(I find this abhorrent so I am prolife however I do not agree that it is an issue to be decided by constitutional law which says nothing on abortion rights. This is between a woman, her dr. and God if she believes in one.).
A foreign policy supporting the promotion of democracy, the protection of human rights and where possible, effective multilateralism.
As well as human rights, social democrats also support social rights, civil rights and civil liberties.
If this makes me a liberal then so be it. Down with conservatives! They have wrecked this country. National debt out of control. Deficit out of control. Corporational greed out of control. Make them leave america and form their own religious right totalitarianism somewhere else.