Why do you hate liberals and liberalism so much?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Seriously. I'd like to hear from those who keep using the word liberal in a derogatory way, what it is about that term they dislike? Is it personality types (celebrities)? Is it the ideology? What is your definition of liberalism? ...and finally, what do you define yourself as?

Edited September 24, 2006 by Steven_and_Jinky

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I'm not sure this will turn out to be a useful or informative debate...

Considering that the whole problem seems to result from obvious misunderstandings about a particular ideology.

Can we even get through a page without the party political talking points rearing their head.

[danae 0]

It because liberalism promotes equality, and for some that would mean no longer living so selfishly, egocentrically, and hierarchically. For some that potential change in their lifestyle is too threatening, so they fight it.

[snz1802 0]

I usually lean towards liberal views when it comes to politics. I don't know why everyone makes such a big deal out of the fact that there is a liberal side to politics. There is a conservative side, so of course there is going to be a liberal side. Everyone has their own opinion when it comes to this subject, conservatives incuded. I don't lable myself a liberal because some of the conservative views are good as well, I have an open mind when it comes to politics, so I guess you could say I ride the fence, but I usually do lean toward liberal views.

[Welshcookie 17]

I never knew I was 'liberal' until I married an American who told me I was

In our time together we have both changed some our views...although there are things that we have agreed not to debate/argue about anymore cos we are at stalemate so what's the point, agree to disagree is something you have to do at times

The funniest thing he said to me was....I have never loved a Liberal before.....

Edited September 24, 2006 by welshcookie

[meauxna 15]

I heard an interview with the author of this book

Wait! Don't Move To Canada!

where he suggests that instead of ceding the word 'liberal' to those who have redefined it, the word should be reclaimed.

Edited September 24, 2006 by meauxna

[homesick_american 1]

I vote Democrat and used to proudly label myself with the word 'liberal' but I'm loath to use it nowadays. It isn't because I'm ashamed of my beliefs; it's because I think I no longer share a lot of the beliefs of those who now call themselves 'liberals.'

For example, I don't give a damn if gays want to marry each other. Doesn't affect me. I was and still am against the war in Iraq. I support public education. I support a woman's right to choose. These are standard core liberal beliefs. However, I find myself repulsed by the moral relativism, anti-Americanism, and pro-Socialist tendencies of western European liberalism.

[Fischkoepfin 1]

I oppose liberalism on principle because it is pro-business and against social programs/ communities which I consider worth supporting. I also do not like the anti-environment agenda of liberalism but that falls under pro-business I suppose. Finally, while I do agree with liberalisms basic commitment to civil lliberties, I do not agree that individual rights should be extended to corporations as they are not individuals.

[dalegg 143]

I'm not sure this will turn out to be a useful or informative debate...

Considering that the whole problem seems to result from obvious misunderstandings about a particular ideology.

Apparantly ...

It because liberalism promotes equality, and for some that would mean no longer living so selfishly, egocentrically, and hierarchically.

I oppose liberalism on principle because it is pro-business and against social programs/ communities which I consider worth supporting.

[Fuzzness 2]

liberalism is about social freedoms... what's so bad about that?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I'm not sure this will turn out to be a useful or informative debate...

Considering that the whole problem seems to result from obvious misunderstandings about a particular ideology.

Apparantly ...

It because liberalism promotes equality, and for some that would mean no longer living so selfishly, egocentrically, and hierarchically.

I oppose liberalism on principle because it is pro-business and against social programs/ communities which I consider worth supporting.

So far, so good

[godsavethequeen 0]

I vote Democrat and used to proudly label myself with the word 'liberal' but I'm loath to use it nowadays. It isn't because I'm ashamed of my beliefs; it's because I think I no longer share a lot of the beliefs of those who now call themselves 'liberals.'

For example, I don't give a damn if gays want to marry each other. Doesn't affect me. I was and still am against the war in Iraq. I support public education. I support a woman's right to choose. These are standard core liberal beliefs. However, I find myself repulsed by the moral relativism, anti-Americanism, and pro-Socialist tendencies of western European liberalism.

As we Western Europeans find ourselves repulsed by American Republicism Empire building. Can Europe have no opinion? Do we really have to cowtow to the US world order, there are other nations in this world you know. If you don't like Europe LEAVE

If I was to classify myself I would say I'm a old school anarchist-socialist-green leaning-fool.

[Lewis 0]

Liberalism is an ideology, philosophical view, and political tradition which holds that liberty is the primary political value.[1] Liberalism has its roots in the Western Enlightenment, but the term now encompasses a diversity of political thought.

Broadly speaking, contemporary liberalism emphasizes individual rights. It seeks a society characterized by freedom of thought for individuals, limitations on power, especially of government and religion, the rule of law, free public education, the free exchange of ideas, a market economy that supports relatively free private enterprise, and a transparent system of government in which the rights of all citizens are protected. [2] In modern society, liberals favor a liberal democracy with open and fair elections, where all citizens have equal rights by law and an equal opportunity to succeed[3].

Many liberals advocate a greater degree of government interference in the free market, often in the form of anti-discrimination laws, civil service examinations, universal education, and progressive taxation. This philosophy frequently extends to a belief that the government should provide for a degree of general welfare, including Unemployment benefits for the poor, housing for the homeless, and medical care for the sick. Such publicly-funded initiatives and interferences in the market are rejected by modern advocates of classical liberalism, which emphasizes free private enterprise, individual property rights and freedom of contract; classical liberals hold that economic inequality, as arising naturally from competition in the free market, does not justify the violation of private property rights. However, modern advocates of classical liberalism do advocate a heavier taxation on the corporation, as opposed to the current trend of the burden of income tax resting on the shoulders of the individual worker, as did the early classical liberals.

Liberalism rejected many foundational assumptions which dominated most earlier theories of government, such as the Divine Right of Kings, hereditary status, and established religion. Fundamental human rights that all liberals support include the right to life, liberty, and property. Liberalism has its roots in the Western Enlightenment, but the term now encompasses a diversity of political thought, with adherents spanning a large part of the political spectrum.

A broader use of the term liberalism is in the context of liberal democracy (see also constitutionalism). In this sense of the word, it refers to a democracy in which the powers of government are limited and the rights of citizens are legally defined; this applies to nearly all Western democracies, and therefore is not solely associated with liberal parties.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberalism

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

liberalism is about social freedoms... what's so bad about that?

That's only one aspect of it - economic liberalism tends to support free markets and the interests of big business.

[Fischkoepfin 1]

liberalism is about social freedoms... what's so bad about that?

That's only one aspect of it - economic liberalism tends to support free markets and the interests of big business.

Exactly.