Quote:
Originally posted by ktsnake
AGDee, I object to dictionary.com's definition of "liberal".
What consitutes "progress" is entirely subjective. My personal view is that every liberal advance inches us closer to socialism. That is why someone like me finds the #1 and #4 most liberal people in the Senate fairly threatening of our way of life.
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I didn't write the definition, I just quoted it! But, I think you got my point.. liberal is defined as one thing but is interpreted in our society as something different.
My college government professor described liberal as someone who believes in a broad interpretation of the Constitution and conservative as believing in a strict interpretation of the Constitution (i.e. no interpretation, but taking it just as it is written).
I am liberal in that I think we should be able to do what we want with our private lives, if it doesn't harm or infringe on others' rights. Such as, gay marriage, etc. I also tend to take a compassionate stance for people who are not able to care for themselves, and believe we have a responsibility as humans to care for our sick. I don't think people who are fully capable of working should be sitting at home collecting welfare. I think those are the minority though (especially in Michigan because our only form of welfare, other than food stamps, is Aid for Dependent Children, so you have to have kids to get anything). Socialism is not the same as a compassionate democratic society though.
Dee