Why do you support liberalism?

[JBeukema]

Well, besides Fascism being the opposite of Communism?

And by opposite you mean the opposite type of socialism/totalitarian government.

you're simple, aren't you, jack?

 

[GilbertArizona]

Seems like you're a 1950s REPUBLICAN, then.

Or maybe you're a early 19th century Bull Moose Party supporter like Teddy Roosevelt

Kinda sucks to be an anachronism, doesn't it, Gil?

Know that you're in good company, though.

I have no complaints. One thing about being liberal, I feel no peer pressure about the extent of how far I carry my beliefs. I think I have a lot more freedom in that regard than do conservatives who seem hellbent on defining who's a member of the club. As far as the 50's go, I barely recall the Kennedy-Nixon battle, but I hope that I would have stood with the liberals in supporting Civil Rights.

 

[Political Junky]

Well..

Like any sort of Philosophy has it's "Good" Parts.. (Not Mentioning Extremist Philosophy's, Like Communism nor Fascism.)

But what do i think of em? I have nothing against them really.. I just don't approve of it, I understand why people would be inclined to be a Liberal/Progressive etc, but it's not for me..

I'm a Conservative, with a hint of Classic Liberalism. And no, not the Conservative Palin and Hannity make it out to be.. I actually despise those two Nuts, The Real Conservatism.

Big difference between, Neo-Cons and Conservatives.

Well, besides Fascism being the opposite of Communism?

ROFLMNAO! Really?

Can ya show your math on this one?

Read

 

[rightwinger]

They don't apply the term "liberal", you do...The socialist wing to your party stole the term back in the 1920s, in order to obfuscate their true motives and ends.

If anyone has destroyed the meaning of the term, it's the most illliberal "liberals".

JFK said it best ...thank you

JFJK was a foreign policy hawk, an economic conservative and a social policy liberal.

So really, what was he?

He was JFK not some stupid label.

He declared himself to be a liberal

 

[Lonestar_logic]

What do our opponents mean when they apply to us the label "Liberal?" If by "Liberal" they mean, as they want people to believe, someone who is soft in his policies abroad, who is against local government, and who is unconcerned with the taxpayer's dollar, then ... we are not that kind of "Liberal." But if by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people -- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties -- someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal." [JFK September 14, 1960]

I doubt that JFK meant that "someone" to be the government. It's not the governments job to make sure you have a house, maintain good health or aquire a job. The governments role should be to provide people the freedom necessary to pursue their own goals.

For example, conservatives oppose long-term welfare, liberals believe it's the governments job to care for people from cradle to grave. Conservatives favor a free market system. liberals favor a system in which government regulates the economy.

Conservative policies generally emphasize empowerment of the individual to solve problems.

Liberal policies generally emphasize the need for the government to solve people's problems.

 

[Skull Pilot]

What do our opponents mean when they apply to us the label "Liberal?" If by "Liberal" they mean, as they want people to believe, someone who is soft in his policies abroad, who is against local government, and who is unconcerned with the taxpayer's dollar, then ... we are not that kind of "Liberal." But if by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people -- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties -- someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal." [JFK September 14, 1960]

​

Captured perfectly.

You do realize that you idiots would be calling JFK a neocon today don't you?

American Thinker: JFK, neo-con.

"Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans-born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage-and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world." (Emphasis added)

"...I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three quarters ago. ...the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe-the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God." (Emphasis added)

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty." (Emphasis added)

 

[NYcarbineer]

I'd love to see some of the answers here.

Avatar, here are two thoughts about libertarianism that I had bookmarked, but don't recall the sources. I bookmarked them some time ago because they represented the direction I would like to see my country take. If you want to know more, check out RonPaul.com. [these following thoughts did not come from there, though]

"No, a libertarian world isn't a perfect one. There will still be inequality, poverty, crime, corruption, man's inhumanity to man. But, unlike the theocratic visionaries, the pie-in-the-sky socialist utopians, or the starry-eyed Mr. Fixits of the New Deal and Great Society, libertarians don't promise you a rose garden. Karl Popper once said that attempts to create heaven on earth invariably produce hell. Libertarianism holds out, not the goal of a perfect society, but of a better and freer one. It promises a world in which more of the decisions will be made in the right way by the right person: you. The result will be, not an end to crime and poverty and inequality, but less of most of those things most of the time--often much less."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"LIBERTARIANS support maximum liberty in both personal and
economic matters. They advocate a much smaller government; one

that is limited to protecting individuals from coercion and violence.

Libertarians tend to embrace individual responsibility, oppose

government bureaucracy and taxes, promote private charity, tolerate

diverse lifestyles, support the free market, and defend civil liberties."

Libertarianism only works for Libertarians. That's what most Libertarians can't get through their heads.

 

[rdean]

Just look at the recent platform of the "Confederate Republican Party of Teabags".

Anti education? In this day and age of science and technology, you have people who are whining about not having jobs, but at the same time, they down science and want to abolish the Department of Education? How can that be?

And the religious thing, "We are for Freedom of Religion, but not Freedom FROM Religion"?????? What's up with that?

Liberals excel in every field except hate speech and bastards.

Just the fact that only 6% - well, you know. That should be shameful, instead, conservatives are proud. Proud? That only 6%????

And now, Conservatives are promoting "Austrian Economics". Do any know what that is?

They promote replacing deregulation with "voluntary compliance"? Try getting rid of speed limits and replace that with "voluntary compliance" and see how well that works out.

So why do I support "liberalism"? Because it stands against every bone headed and wacko right wing policy that comes along.

Don't even get me started on "civil rights".

 

[rightwinger]

What do our opponents mean when they apply to us the label "Liberal?" If by "Liberal" they mean, as they want people to believe, someone who is soft in his policies abroad, who is against local government, and who is unconcerned with the taxpayer's dollar, then ... we are not that kind of "Liberal." But if by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people -- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties -- someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal." [JFK September 14, 1960]

I doubt that JFK meant that "someone" to be the government. It's not the governments job to make sure you have a house, maintain good health or aquire a job. The governments role should be to provide people the freedom necessary to pursue their own goals.

For example, conservatives oppose long-term welfare, liberals believe it's the governments job to care for people from cradle to grave. Conservatives favor a free market system. liberals favor a system in which government regulates the economy.

Conservative policies generally emphasize empowerment of the individual to solve problems.

Liberal policies generally emphasize the need for the government to solve people's problems.

As someone who was seeking the office of President at the time...he by all means meant government. For christs sake....he was a Kennedy!

As to your "let conservatives define what a liberal is"....i just ignored it when I saw how slanted it was

 

[uscitizen]

I'd love to see some of the answers here.

Because it pisses off the right wingers?

 

[Newby]

I lean more towards liberalism over conservatism because i don't believe in government by golden rule. That is, I don't want those that have the gold making the rules. I see the government's role as establishment of a level playing field that is balanced in its fairness to business owners, workers, and consumers. I wouldn't care to go back to the days before the labor movement. I believe the government has a role in establishing standards regarding workers' safety, approving drugs that pharmaceutical companies wish to market, and environmental regulations to protect the air I breathe and water I drink.

It's a different view of freedom I think, that reocgnizes it's not only government that can misuse power and enslave people. It's a human trait. And for some things government is the best entity to provide balance - and protection.

Yeah, governments throughout the ages have been great examples of entities that have provided balance and protected the people. And what exactly is 'provide balance'?

 

[Oddball]

I'd love to see some of the answers here.

I don't.

Liberalism, especially that of the classical doctrine, is grounded in naivety at best and malevolence and deceit at worst.

Ahhhh....The PANGie (People Are No Good) fallacy in all it's bigoted glory!

I believe you were saying something about painting with the broad brush there, Scooter?

 

[Lonestar_logic]

What do our opponents mean when they apply to us the label "Liberal?" If by "Liberal" they mean, as they want people to believe, someone who is soft in his policies abroad, who is against local government, and who is unconcerned with the taxpayer's dollar, then ... we are not that kind of "Liberal." But if by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people -- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties -- someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal." [JFK September 14, 1960]

I doubt that JFK meant that "someone" to be the government. It's not the governments job to make sure you have a house, maintain good health or aquire a job. The governments role should be to provide people the freedom necessary to pursue their own goals.

For example, conservatives oppose long-term welfare, liberals believe it's the governments job to care for people from cradle to grave. Conservatives favor a free market system. liberals favor a system in which government regulates the economy.

Conservative policies generally emphasize empowerment of the individual to solve problems.

Liberal policies generally emphasize the need for the government to solve people's problems.

As someone who was seeking the office of President at the time...he by all means meant government. For christs sake....he was a Kennedy!

As to your "let conservatives define what a liberal is"....i just ignored it when I saw how slanted it was

By slanted you mean accurate. Ok, got it!

 

[KMAN]

What do our opponents mean when they apply to us the label "Liberal?" If by "Liberal" they mean, as they want people to believe, someone who is soft in his policies abroad, who is against local government, and who is unconcerned with the taxpayer's dollar, then ... we are not that kind of "Liberal." But if by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people -- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties -- someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal." [JFK September 14, 1960]

someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people -- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties -- someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal."

Sounds just like what a conservative believes... except conservatives will add... personal responsibility to the definition.

 

[KMAN]

I'd love to see some of the answers here.

Has anyone even answered your question???? I see a bunch of people go off on tangents about classic liberalism and quotes from other people but I haven't actually seen one specific thing that a person said they like about it. I thought it was an easy question but apparently not. sheesh..

 

[AquaAthena]

I'd love to see some of the answers here.

DOH!!! Last night when I responded to the question, "Why do you support liberalism", I had read it this way..lol. Why do you support libertarianism?? So please forgive my two responses, as they had nothing to do with your topic...lol.

 

[Oddball]

I'd love to see some of the answers here.

Has anyone even answered your question???? I see a bunch of people go off on tangents about classic liberalism and quotes from other people but I haven't actually seen one specific thing that a person said they like about it. I thought it was an easy question but apparently not. sheesh..

The tangent was because the term "liberal" has been hijacked by Fabian socialists, who now by and large want to run from the moniker because they're not fooling anyone, other than themselves, anymore.

 

[Shorebreak]

I'm getting in this discussion kinda late, but I support liberalism because it's what gave us the Bill of Rights and is the basis of individual liberty.

I certainly don't support socialism or centralised government - both of which are the bane of a system that is centered upon the liberties and the voice of each individual. But I'm in full favor of a liberal system of representative government that places each persons liberty and voice ahead of the desires of government, and which (when applied honestly) places the will of the citizens above the will of government officials.

When it comes to how individuals choose to live their lives, I lean quite far to the conservative side of the spectrum in hopes that people would choose moral, fair, and honest lifestyles. In terms of government, I prefer a government that basically keeps its hands off my stack and lets us live as we choose.

There was a time when I wished that the government would take a stand for conservative morality and lifestyle, but I've since begun to understand that pundits and others who blast that horn are only using it to create political division and distraction from the liberty framework in our constitution so that we turn away from liberty and towards a system that seeks to control many of our daily activities.

That understanding helps me to remain aware of left/right and liberal/conservative ideological traps that are used to keep us separated and to keep us bickering about non-productive issues rather than focusing on maintaining the foundational structure of our LIBERAL Constitution.

And that's why I support liberalism.

 

[rdean]

I'd love to see some of the answers here.

Has anyone even answered your question???? I see a bunch of people go off on tangents about classic liberalism and quotes from other people but I haven't actually seen one specific thing that a person said they like about it. I thought it was an easy question but apparently not. sheesh..

The question is, "Why do you support liberalism?"

I answered it explicitly. But I didn't see yours anywhere.

 

[rdean]

I'm getting in this discussion kinda late, but I support liberalism because it's what gave us the Bill of Rights and is the basis of individual liberty.

I certainly don't support socialism or centralised government - both of which are the bane of a system that is centered upon the liberties and the voice of each individual. But I'm in full favor of a liberal system of representative government that places each persons liberty and voice ahead of the desires of government, and which (when applied honestly) places the will of the citizens above the will of government officials.

When it comes to how individuals choose to live their lives, I lean quite far to the conservative side of the spectrum in hopes that people would choose moral, fair, and honest lifestyles. In terms of government, I prefer a government that basically keeps its hands off my stack and lets us live as we choose.

There was a time when I wished that the government would take a stand for conservative morality and lifestyle, but I've since begun to understand that pundits and others who blast that horn are only using it to create political division and distraction from the liberty framework in our constitution so that we turn away from liberty and towards a system that seeks to control many of our daily activities.

That understanding helps me to remain aware of left/right and liberal/conservative ideological traps that are used to keep us separated and to keep us bickering about non-productive issues rather than focusing on maintaining the foundational structure of our LIBERAL Constitution.

And that's why I support liberalism.

Those are usually code words. Fair and honest - fine.

Moral? To me, discrimination against the gays is "immoral". To many right wingers, moral would be "killing the gays".

So how did "gays" come up? "Lifestyle" for the right wing is code for gays. As if their "lifestyle" included eating babies or having moonlight blood orgies. Worse, many conservatives don't even know where gays come from. They think they might be "immigrants".