Isn't it kind of stupid to bash "liberals" or "liberalism"

[Lucky... 0]

Quote

Let's take a look at the candidates stand. I'd say you wouldn't be too far off labeling the Dems as more liberal than conservative.

Barack Obama

Abortion is a woman’s right - Yes
Require hiring more women & minorities - Yes
Same-sex domestic partnership benefits - Yes
Teacher-led prayer in public schools - No
Death Penalty- No
Mandatory Three Strikes sentencing laws -No
Absolute right to gun ownership -No
More federal funding for health coverage- Yes
Privatize Social Security - No
Parents choose schools via vouchers- No opinion
Replace coal & oil with alternatives -Yes
Drug use is immoral: enforce laws against it - No
Allow churches to provide welfare services - Yes
Repeal tax cuts on wealthy -Yes
Illegal immigrants earn citizenship -Yes
Support & expand free trade- No
Expand the armed forces - Yes
Stricter limits on political campaign funds- Yes
The Patriot Act harms civil liberties - Yes
US out of Iraq- Yes

John McCain

Abortion is a woman’s right - No
Require hiring more women & minorities - Yes
Same-sex domestic partnership benefits - No
Teacher-led prayer in public schools - Yes
Death Penalty- Yes
Mandatory Three Strikes sentencing laws -Yes
Absolute right to gun ownership -Yes
More federal funding for health coverage- Yes
Privatize Social Security - Yes
Parents choose schools via vouchers- Yes
Replace coal & oil with alternatives -Yes
Drug use is immoral: enforce laws against it - Yes
Allow churches to provide welfare services - Yes
Repeal tax cuts on wealthy -No
Illegal immigrants earn citizenship -Yes
Support & expand free trade- Yes
Expand the armed forces - Yes
Stricter limits on political campaign funds- Yes
The Patriot Act harms civil liberties - No
US out of Iraq- No

For the purposes of general discussion Dem=Liberal Repub=Conservative. We all know that it's not 100% but it's a majority for sure.

Now, which of these issues requires an individual to take responsibility for their actions, and which has the government assumming responsibility?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>Now, which of these issues requires an individual to take responsibility for their actions, and which has the government assumming responsibility?


And which has the will of the people prevail while the government acts as regulator, as in Socialism?

[Lucky... 0]

Quote

Quote

There are liberals (like me) who believe in free market capitalism, personal responsibility, limitations on government regulation, and are pro-gun rights.

Umm...yea. They're called conservative liberals

You don't get it. Around the time or Ronald Regan, the GOP began a campaign to vilify the word "liberal" so it became an insult. Now all these years later, you have people on the right equating it to evil!

It's good to see the sheep can be led off the cliff still.

Yea, I think it was fascist Ronnie who said, "there you go again" in response to Carter and taxes. Then fascist Ronnie went on to get elected and tripple the debt. WHat a POS, him and his conservative politics, or so they fooled people to that accord.

[Lucky... 0]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Probably a good thing for your. But, your description of a "conservative" missed the target. In fact, it's quite stereotypical.


And quite correct.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>You mean in the same way the environmentalists say the "debate is over"? The same way the liberal press asks if Sen. Barack Obama is "black enough"? The same way the anti-illegal-immigration crowd are a bunch of racists?

Sorry, man, I think I understand the point you were seeking to make, but damn if you didn't just spout a bunch of Howard Dean talking points...




HUH? It's not about an idividual, it's about a general concept of change versus tradition. Can you show examples of how the Republicans, in a general sense, want change?

[Lucky... 0]

Quote

Answer to OP:

Looking at it over the long haul, YES!

Liberalism as defined classically was the force responsible for the revolution against rule by divine right, monarchs, witrchcraft, etc.

If it weren't for the liberal movements and accompanying mercantilist development of the 2nd millenium (resulting in establishment of a middle class), everyone not of royal or divine standing would still be covered with shit and eating mud pies.

Liberalism has now become couched in political terms identified with advocates of a welfare state, but all of our mainstream political parties (and arguably, even those outside the mainstream) have liberalism at their roots.

Next question please.

And the conservatives, the ones affraid of change, back then would say the same kinds of things about liberalism. Liberalism hasn't changed as a concept, just that the parties who subscribe to it have changed.