Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. A liberal society is characterized by freedom of thought for individuals, limitations on power, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market economy, free private enterprise, and a transparent system of government in which the rights of all citizens are protected. [2] In the 21st century, this usually means liberal democracy with open and fair elections, where all citizens have equal rights by law. [3]

One could only wish that this definition was true.

Modern liberalism is nothing about freedom or individual rights. Its all about government restricting individual rights rather than restricting government's intrusion into citizens lives.
If it was all for the "free exchange of ideas" then Al Gore would address the truly bad science in his polemics on global warming. Instead he stonewalls it.
If it was all for " the rule of law", then expalin how the Senate almost passed a Bill that would have excused millions of law-breakers.
If it was about "open government" then explain how the aforementioned Bill was crafted largely in secret.

Modern liberalism is not liberal in the classic sense.
Neither is modern conservatism, conservative in the dictionary sense of wanting to promote the status quo.

I think a more honest/ relevant, modern definition would be that modern liberals want government to be the answer to all question, the provider of all services. The people would be fully dependent on the government for all their needs.
Modern conservativism would promote the rights of the individual, and the restriction of the government to its Constitutional boundaries.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

Pretty well sums it up as far as modern liberalism is concerned.

B

That's the funniest thing I've heard all day.........how does the current "conservative" administration fit into your nicely packaged definition?

I thought he was saying that the current administration should strive to fit that definition but hasn't quite made it there. Maybe I misunderstood him.

It's just an example of how the "definitions" hardly fit the reality of today.

Those that think the liberals want to control every action of the life of a citizen are incorrect.

Those that think the conservatives have a profound respect for the constitution and the rights of the individual citizen are incorrect.

That's exactly right, except I would edit your sentence to include the words "so called" before the word "conservative."

Editing is not necessary because it refers to his original definitions of "liberal" and "conservative". The point of the sentence is to show the very gray area where both groups currently reside.

I agree that a liberal agenda tends to favor additional laws to control the lives of the citizens. Some of these laws are valuable.........some are not. However, the traditional liberals of days gone by are long gone. Such practices, if attempted today, would result in an immediate loss in the next election.

That definition sounds more like what has come to be called conservative. Going back at least as far as the Reagan administration, the so-called conservatives have advocated a strong, intrusive, central government. At the national level, you see it in many areas- preemptive war against countries who don't threaten us, warrantless wiretapping, abortion, illegal drugs, tort reform, prayer in school, and stem cell research come to mind. It has also been true at the state level, at least in Virginia. When GOP presidential candidate Jim Gilmore () ran for Governor of Virginia, his entire campaign came down to three words, "No Car Tax." Of course everyone hates the car tax, so he got elected. The phasing out of the car tax has two effects - it totally screwed up the state's finances and it took revenue from the localities and sent it instead to Richmond where the central government doled it out. Gilmore was the George W. Bush of Virginia governors. Each is arguably the most incompetent person ever to hold his respective office and each claims to be conservative while simultaneously working to strengthen the central government.He does? He seems pretty sincere to me.I agree. If so-called liberals would be more open to dissenting views, I think they would dominate American politics because their general philosophy, once properly understood, makes more sense than the tripe being pushed by the people who dominate the modern GOP.That's an understatement. Look at the policy proposals of Tom Delay, John Ashcroft, Dick Cheney, and the like. These men are anything but conservative. They are the opposite of conservative.Do you see that happening anytime in the forseeable future? I don't.

Unfortunately, it seems both of the major parties have embraced the worst aspects you've mentioned and forgotten any of the positive philosophies they once espoused. Perhaps the problem is deeper than mere party platforms or phlosophies. I'm thinking that maybe our society has begun to prefer restrictions and interference in favor of security, government interference in our lives over standing on our own as individuals, etc.

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Yes.

X2.......

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Matt (SD,CA)

1984 300SD.. White/Chrome Bunts..Green

1997 2500 Dodge Ram 5.9 Cummins 12 Valve 36 PSI of Boost = 400+hp & 800+tQ .. ..Greenspeed

2004 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Quad Cab Cummins 5.9 H.O "596hp/1225tq" 6 spd. Man. Leather Heated seats/Loaded..Flame Red....GREENSPEED

Global warming...Doing my part, Smokin da hippies..

Fight the good fight!......