Liberalism for Dummies (1 Viewer)

[trojan0515]

Dont flame on me. I did search and saw a great thread. But I don't want an itemized definition of what liberal means to you. I just want to know, when you hear the word, what does it mean to you. When I hear Liberal, I think of policies that provide for people, instead of encouraging people to provide for themselves. That's just first reaction, don't overload. I just wish that more people were held accountable for their own well being. I work for Social Services, and it's pitiful how many people and generations of their kids will not try to do any better for themselves. That being said, I know liberal is not a dirty word, it's just used as a rallying cry. I wish we actually had political parties in this country that represented the population, instead of clamoring to special interest groups and political bases. Minorities and average people gain an inch only by giving miles to partners of their representatives who become rich at their expense.

 

[jdn9201]

When I hear the word liberal, I think of welfare and other entitlement programs. I also think of a complete lack of moral values. May be a stereotype, but that's what I think of. I also think of Dick Gephardt's classic line that went along the lines of "People who aren't well off just didn't win life's lottery". Instead of working to improve yourself and make yourself a better person, liberals just want to point the finger at big bidness or anyone else besides the person themselves.

 

[thewyrm]

lib·er·al /ˈlɪb

ər

əl, ˈlɪb

rəl/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[lib-er-uh

l, lib-ruh

l] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective <TABLE class=luna-Ent><TBODY><TR><TD class=dn vAlign=top>1.</TD><TD vAlign=top>favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=luna-Ent><TBODY><TR><TD class=dn vAlign=top>2.</TD><TD vAlign=top>(often initial capital letter

) noting or pertaining to a political party advocating measures of progressive political reform. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=luna-Ent><TBODY><TR><TD class=dn vAlign=top>3.</TD><TD vAlign=top>of, pertaining to, based on, or advocating liberalism. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=luna-Ent><TBODY><TR><TD class=dn vAlign=top>4.</TD><TD vAlign=top>favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, esp. as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=luna-Ent><TBODY><TR><TD class=dn vAlign=top>5.</TD><TD vAlign=top>favoring or permitting freedom of action, esp. with respect to matters of personal belief or expression: a liberal policy toward dissident artists and writers. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=luna-Ent><TBODY><TR><TD class=dn vAlign=top>6.</TD><TD vAlign=top>of or pertaining to representational forms of government rather than aristocracies and monarchies. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=luna-Ent><TBODY><TR><TD class=dn vAlign=top>7.</TD><TD vAlign=top>free from prejudice or bigotry; tolerant: a liberal attitude toward foreigners. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=luna-Ent><TBODY><TR><TD class=dn vAlign=top>8.</TD><TD vAlign=top>open-minded or tolerant, esp. free of or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=luna-Ent><TBODY><TR><TD class=dn vAlign=top>9.</TD><TD vAlign=top>characterized by generosity and willingness to give in large amounts: a liberal donor. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=luna-Ent><TBODY><TR><TD class=dn vAlign=top>10.</TD><TD vAlign=top>given freely or abundantly; generous: a liberal donation. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=luna-Ent><TBODY><TR><TD class=dn vAlign=top>11.</TD><TD vAlign=top>not strict or rigorous; free; not literal: a liberal interpretation of a rule. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=luna-Ent><TBODY><TR><TD class=dn vAlign=top>12.</TD><TD vAlign=top>of, pertaining to, or based on the liberal arts. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=luna-Ent><TBODY><TR><TD class=dn vAlign=top>13.</TD><TD vAlign=top>of, pertaining to, or befitting a freeman. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>–noun <TABLE class=luna-Ent><TBODY><TR><TD class=dn vAlign=top>14.</TD><TD vAlign=top>a person of liberal principles or views, esp. in politics or religion. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=luna-Ent><TBODY><TR><TD class=dn vAlign=top>15.</TD><TD vAlign=top>(often initial capital letter

) a member of a liberal party in politics, esp. of the Liberal party in Great Britain. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<HR class=ety>[Origin: 1325–75; ME < L līberālis of freedom, befitting the free, equiv. to līber free + -ālis -al<SUP>1</SUP>

]

 

[SaintMeaux]

When I hear the term, I think about emphasizing personal freedoms, until you bring up firearms, or childhood education, or who to hire, or what to drive, or what to do with your own land, or...well, I guess you see where I'm going with this.

 

[jimwnola]

It has many meanings, of course. It's hard to even imagine that I considered myself somewhat liberal when young. I'm not sure it is me that change but those in the Democratic party and their interpretation. Somewhere along the line the concept got hijacked by left-leaning socialists.

To the extent it stands for:

1.Freedom of religion
2. Freedom of speech
3. Freedom of thought
4. Freedom of artistic expression
5. Freedom of governnemnt intrusion

It's not bad.

Somehow, however, 1. become repression of religion, 2, dissappears if not politically correct, 3. turns into more of a "Hollywood elitiste" protocal to follow, 4 means that the government has to pay artists for vulgarity, and 5 is now mainly synonomous with being pro-abortion ,etc.

 

[trojan0515]

Good post. I just want to clear up some misconceptions, since I work for the welfare and food stamp dept. Welfare is the most under utililzed program that we have. A welfare grant is 122 for one person, 188 for 2 people, 240 for 3, monthly. And in order to get that you have a child, have income less than the grant, file non support charges against your baby's daddy, and come to our office and perform 40 hours of activities. Welfare is not abused, because most people are not willing to go through the trouble. Food stamps on the other hand, is widespread fraud. On food stamps, I see people claiming no income for 4-6 years, or claiming they can support a family of 7 on 600 a month. You and I know that is impossible, but my hands are tied by the govt.

 

[thewyrm]

, 4 means that the government has to pay artists for vulgarity.

Well I guess we could always appoint some kind of Morality Tzar to watch over us and put us in jail if we paint something that he arbitrarily deems "vulgar."

I mean come on, art is completely subjective. Something personally offensive to me is might be barely worth a second glance to you.

 

[jimwnola]

So your post proves that "welfare reform" generally worked, the problem is that "welfare" is a very small part of what is abused by all the deadbeats, who take advantage of other programs that weren't reformed and drastically needed, including:

1. SSI, seriously abused. Too fat to work, needing watch tv all day can be disability
2. HUD, free housing for deadbeats
3. Medicaid, free healthcare for deadbeats
4. Workers Compensation, anybody who is willing to fall down at work, lie, and go to right attorney, can get a year's vacation and a little bonus
5. Food stamps, as you said
6. Tort suits for all sorts of "discrimination"
7. Free school lunches, make you kids fill up there and save your money for crack

 

[jimwnola]

I don't see why the government should be paying for any art; it's just worse when they use tax dollars of citizens to pay for art that a large portion of the paying citizens find offensive.

When did I ever say to limit individual rights to express their art in free market?

 

[Severum]

Dont flame on me. I did search and saw a great thread. But I don't want an itemized definition of what liberal means to you. I just want to know, when you hear the word, what does it mean to you.

That would depend on the source and the context.

To me, liberalism means advocating individual rights and freedom.

 

[trojan0515]

jimwnola, you hit the nail on the head. The sad thing is programs are out there for people who want to help themselves, but there is no one to take advantage. Also, the *** backward programs we have promote people with no jobs while they penalize people who go to work and try to make something of themselves. If you are elderly, worked all your life, get a retirement, and your house is paid for, don't apply. You won't qualify, nevermind you paid your whole life with your taxes, meanwhile, a deadbeat who has never worked will get the maximum because they work for cash, never recorded wages and had several children.

 

[trojan0515]

severum, amazed you responded to my humble thread. I enjoy your posts. I agree that individual rights are important but as a part of a social contract you have to give up certain rights. In a better country, I'm sure we would all be represented. I just wonder, If we had a time machine and could bring back Jefferson, Paine, Locke, what would they think of this country. When they framed the Constitution, they could have not expected what we have become.

 

[shasta]

hippies, dirty foul smelling, non hair washing hippies

 

[pancho]

hippies, dirty foul smelling, non hair washing hippies

Die Hippie Die (Eric Cartman)

 

[thewyrm]

I'm sure the founding fathers would cringe at certain moments in our history. The War Between the States, Japanese Internment, and the Mexican War come to mind. Overall though, how could they not be proud that the great experiment of Democracy has basically worked as well as it possably could?