Originally Posted by redphish

I consider myself a Liberal in the sense of the traditional definition of the term.

(From Wikipedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberalism

"Liberalism refers to a broad array of related ideas and theories of government that consider individual liberty to be the most important political goal.[1] Modern liberalism has its roots in the Age of Enlightenment.

Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. Different forms of liberalism may propose very different policies, but they are generally united by their support for a number of principles, including extensive freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market or mixed economy, and a transparent system of government.[2] All liberals — as well as some adherents of other political ideologies — support some variant of the form of government known as liberal democracy, with open and fair elections, where all citizens have equal rights by law"

Unfortunately, the term has been hijacked by people with beliefs that are incompatible with actual Liberal values. One glaring example are Communists who consider themselves Liberal. Moreover, the term has become a blanket insult used by many Conservatives for anyone with whom they disagree.

I guess the bottom line is that you have to consider the person using the term and the context in which it is used when trying to figure out what that particular person means by the term "Liberal".

Originally Posted by Koga

DingDingDing! Someone tell this guy what he's won!

DanishDynamite, you win the chance to live in a country run by a two party monopoly with no relevant difference! You will be bombarded with shameless propaganda trying to earn your vote, and the perpetual idea that if you don't vote you are an uncaring and stupid boob who has no say in politics, while the two party system laughs in your face and continues to increase government's size and not instilling any of the values they promised to bring!


You also get a car. However, sense the taxes were so high, the car was taken away, and you now owe the government two hundred dollars.

Originally Posted by Koga

Sense when was America ever part of the rest of the world?

Originally Posted by eleanoraquitaine

It seems that way but its not really accurate. Its not the word that has changed but this group of people, the base of the democratic party. They are the ones that changed, by sacrificing many of the basic principles liberalism. The same can be said of conservatives in America. They used to believe in less taxes and less government but thats apparently out the window now althrough McCain does give me some hope with promises to veto any legislation with any pork barrel in it. Thats going to be interesting because that means there will be no legislation. In most cases that is probably a good thing until the people take control of the government back and insist on less government, less taxes. Unfortunately, it seems this is not going to happen until the Great Baby Boomer Crash that is about 5-10 years away.