The word Liberal??

[burniegoeasily]

I have pondered the workd Liberal, off and on, and have wondered when did liberalism take on the stigma of progressivism? When I was in my teens and early 20s, I considered myself liberal. I was for smaller government, less burden on the individual, and more personal freedom. In other words, Get government out of my life and give individuals more freedom. Freedom; That word alone summed up Liberalism in a nut shell. Or at least from my understanding at the time. On the other hand, Progressivism was the opposite. It was the notion of bigger government, with a nanny state mentality. Progressivism, to me at the time, was the micromanagement of every aspect of society to insure that no one messes up. Government knows best, so we should work for them and they will dole out what they deem appropriate for its subjects. In other words, daddy government will take care of you, just shut up and follow. Now in the past 20 something years, that nasty word progressivism has been replaced with the once benign word Liberalism, (or as I have come to understand it).


What is your take on this idea?

[The Rev]

Well Kent I think that one day they will drop the word liberal, and pick up the proper word "socialistic".

[NJheadhunter71]

Originally Posted by burniegoeasily

I have pondered the workd Liberal, off and on, and have wondered when did liberalism take on the stigma of progressivism? When I was in my teens and early 20s, I considered myself liberal. I was for smaller government, less burden on the individual, and more personal freedom. In other words, Get government out of my life and give individuals more freedom. Freedom; That word alone summed up Liberalism in a nut shell. Or at least from my understanding at the time. On the other hand, Progressivism was the opposite. It was the notion of bigger government, with a nanny state mentality. Progressivism, to me at the time, was the micromanagement of every aspect of society to insure that no one messes up. Government knows best, so we should work for them and they will dole out what they deem appropriate for its subjects. In other words, daddy government will take care of you, just shut up and follow. Now in the past 20 something years, that nasty word progressivism has been replaced with the once benign word Liberalism, (or as I have come to understand it).


What is your take on this idea?

Modern liberalism. Funny how the republicans want less government but they are considered conservative.

[Mr. Conservatism]

I have never understood the word liberal to mean less government. In my 57 years, liberals have always stood for more government.

To me, liberal has always meant broad minded, open minded, tolerant, and accepting of other views and ideas.

Modern liberals are the most closed minded people I have ever seen.

All the while, they accuse conservatives of being narrow and closed-minded.

Maybe that is why they want to be called progressive these days.

Personally, I see much more hypocrisy amongst so-called liberals that I see amongst conservatives. But there is plenty to go around for both groups.

[kevin1]

Burnie, methinks you're confusing "liberal" with "libertarian". The difference is that there's nothing wrong with being a libertarian.

[burniegoeasily]

Originally Posted by kevin1

Burnie, methinks you're confusing "liberal" with "libertarian". The difference is that there's nothing wrong with being a libertarian.

I am a Libertarian. I was pointing out what the word liberal was touted as when I was young and in college. I was asking this question because my generations, or I should say my circle of associates, felt Liberal was as I mentioned in my starting post. As I have come to understand liberal, Liberal is equal to progressive. Which was a dirty word when i was younger.

[The Rev]

Originally Posted by burniegoeasily

I am a Libertarian. I was pointing out what the word liberal was touted as when I was young and in college. I was asking this question because my generations, or I should say my circle of associates, felt Liberal was as I mentioned in my starting post. As I have come to understand liberal, Liberal is equal to progressive. Which was a dirty word when i was younger.

I didn't know you were a Libertarian, I thought you were a school teacher, when did you go to work in a library?

[kevin1]

Perhaps this will help, courtesy of Merriam-Webster:

Main Entry: 1lib·er·al
Pronunciation: \ˈli-b(ə-)rəl\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin liberalis suitable for a freeman, generous, from liber free; perhaps akin to Old English lēodan to grow, Greek eleutheros free
Date: 14th century
1 a : of, relating to, or based on the liberal arts <liberal education> b archaic : of or befitting a man of free birth
2 a : marked by generosity : openhanded <a liberal giver> b : given or provided in a generous and openhanded way <a liberal meal> c : ample, full
3 obsolete : lacking moral restraint : licentious
4 : not literal or strict : loose <a liberal translation>
5 : broad-minded; especially : not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms
6 a : of, favoring, or based upon the principles of liberalism b capitalized : of or constituting a political party advocating or associated with the principles of political liberalism; especially : of or constituting a political party in the United Kingdom associated with ideals of individual especially economic freedom, greater individual participation in government, and constitutional, political, and administrative reforms designed to secure these objectives
— lib·er·al·ly \-b(ə-)rə-lē\ adverb
— lib·er·al·ness noun

And the difference:


Main Entry: lib·er·tar·i·an
Pronunciation: \ˌli-bər-ˈter-ē-ən, -ˈte-rē-\
Function: noun
Date: 1789
1 : an advocate of the doctrine of free will
2 a : a person who upholds the principles of individual liberty especially of thought and action b capitalized : a member of a political party advocating libertarian principles
— libertarian adjective
— lib·er·tar·i·an·ism \-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm\ noun

A liberal is generous with your money, a libertarian with only his own. I know which I prefer.

[burniegoeasily]

Originally Posted by The Rev

I didn't know you were a Libertarian, I thought you were a school teacher, when did you go to work in a library?

Cant you read? Im speaking of my sexuality, I like girls.

[The Rev]

Originally Posted by burniegoeasily

Cant you read? Im speaking of my sexuality, I like girls.

Oh, I just figured you were bi-sexual, I knew you could write with with both hands.