Liberal = freedom and abundance
Did you know... that historically and politically we live in a liberal democracy organized under classical liberalism?
Did you know... that a Liberal Democracy includes "the equal protection of human rights, civil rights, civil liberties and political freedoms for all people?"
Did you know... that Classical Liberalism is the term used to designate the ideology advocating private property, an unhampered market economy, the rule of law?
Did you know... that liberal means being willing to respect or accept behavior or opinions different from one's own; open to new ideas?
Did you know... that liberalism is a political and social philosophy that promotes individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and free enterprise?
Did you know... that the opposite of liberal is not conservative but rather illiberal, which means restricting freedom of thought or behavior?
Did you know that the opposite of conservative is not liberal but rather progressive, which means promoting change, reform, equanimity, or improvement rather than maintaining the comfortable status quo for the few.
What a strange name to be called. What a strange label. Especially if it is used derogatorily and especially since historically and politically we live in a liberal democracy organized under classical liberalism. So maybe the real answer is that technically every American is a liberal, unless you aren’t part of this democracy.
A Liberal Democracy includes "the equal protection of human rights, civil rights, civil liberties and political freedoms for all people."
This is a great example of how important it is to get it right because WORDS MATTER. just because we use a word that we think means something specific in your mind does not mean it really means that. The more we abuse words by politicizing and weaponizing them, the more we lose coherence, cohesiveness, and shared meaning in society. In other words, mind your words or you will destroy society since the essence of all society and civilization is built on our common understanding giving us the ability to communicate and have conversations.
From my perspective, the word "Liberal" is one of the most misused and abused words in America because of politicization and weaponization. People often confuse liberal with progressive, left wing, leftist, democrat, and on and on. No wonder we can't understand each other anymore. It sure shows how uneducated people can be, especially when they are displaying it publicly.
Another word I hear misused and abused a lot is "Socialism." As Americans, this must begin to matter again. We are destroying the foundations of our society because WORDS MATTER!
Let's Consider some more Detailed Dictionary Definitions.
lib·er·al
/ˈlib(ə)rəl/
adjective
willing to respect or accept behavior or opinions different from one's own; open to new ideas.
relating to or denoting a political and social philosophy that promotes individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and free enterprise.
noun
a supporter of policies that are socially progressive and promote social welfare.
a supporter of a political and social philosophy that promotes individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and free enterprise.
The word liberal is not
the opposite of conservative.
The opposite of liberal is illiberal.
The opposite of conservative is not liberal.
The opposite of conservative is progressive.
See Progressive and Open versus Regressive and Closed.
il·lib·er·al
/i(l)ˈlib(ə)rəl/
adjective
opposed to liberal principles; restricting freedom of thought or behavior.
Similar:
intolerant
narrow-minded
unenlightened
puritanical
fundamentalist
reactionary
alt-right
conservative
hidebound
undemocratic
2. ARCHAIC
uncultured or unrefined.
Definitions are true. Labeling and name-calling for political propaganda creates a twisted perversion of the word called "spin". The word liberal has been politicized and weaponized to hurt fellow human beings. We must learn to stop and think before we speak. Case in point, a relative of mine made the off-the-cuff statement that she was getting the COVID 19 vaccine that day but mostly because she is surrounded by so many "Liberals." What in the world does that even mean??? Another relative tried to dominate a conversation by pigeon-holing me saying that it is apparent that I follow a "liberal narrative." He does not know me. He doesn't know what I think. He doesn't know why I think or say what I do because he is too busy labeling and defining me according to his own ignorance. Anytime we label others, we stop any meaningful conversation. Getting rid of dogma and assumptions is the first step in opening and deepening conversation. If we want to learn to be human together again, we must end name-calling, labeling, and defining others.
Even if we could label someone as a liberal to make ourselves seem intelligent or woke or some dumb thing, can it even be true or accurate or real since it has as many different meanings as we do people and perspectives in America. That would be 328,000,000 in the US.
The broader reason that I feel this is important is that we have become so polarized. This is not something that We The People should ever tolerate. This labeling and name-calling is led by an adversary of We The People. I suggest that we have been led by the labeler of all labels, the name-caller of all name-callers, the insulter in chief. So, even after he is gone, we are left with the destruction of the concept of “fellow americans” because we have labeled, categorized, dehumanized, and eliminated each other with something so simple as name-calling and yet so destructive of the common good. This was the tactics of all of the totalitarian leaders and dictators over the last centuries. This is the tactic of the ex-POTUS while the whole world looks on as we make fools of ourselves and our country. I’ve never seen America in such a terrible state. I hope we will recover.
Labels are meaningless unless they are self-originated and self-defined
If I am the originator of my name, then that is to be used and respected. If someone calls me the wrong name, then once they know the right name, that’s what I’m called. Any name or label must be self-defined. If I pronounce your name wrong, then I must respect and honor you enough to get it right. A person can describe themselves with a label also. But again, it starts with the person and NOT YOU. No person can be labeled and named by another, period. That process objectifies the “other.” It is a form of oppression. It is a form of violence. The definition I use for violence is: anytime we violate another person's' identity or integrity. So why do we do such meaningless and destructive things to each other? It makes no sense because there is nothing true or real in doing that. It is simply an act of war, culture war, that divides us. It is by dividing and conquering that the worst of the worst conquerors in history have destroyed worlds. Our ex- “divider and chief” had only one goal. More votes for more power so that he could take more of your money. Does he care about We The People? Not at all. Just ask him. Or ask his friends. A long time friend of his, Howard Stern (who is now telling the truth about him) said he hates his base. He can’t stand them. He would never spend time with them or befriend them. They are despicable to him. Stern said he knows this because he shares the same fan-base and feels exactly the same way.
That’s what I’ve been wondering over the past month when I was labeled so deftly based on my facebook posts that contain almost no political stuff, intentionally. I don’t use social media for politics or for arguing about anything. It is a waste of time and energy that I don’t have. And it is the worst possible platform for political and religious arguments. But in this case, when I am attacked and insulted, I will “stand my ground.”
A month ago, I felt attacked and therefore intentionally entered into an argument, which was simply defending my own integrity, not any ideology. This was after this person had attacked the integrity of all three of my kids that are now very intelligent and thoughtful young adults. If anything, rather than the ideology it is the praxis that I’m willing to discuss peacefully. The person stated, as if they were a judge or an expert on “me”, that based on all of my facebook posts, I am obviously following the liberal narrative. Ha! That blew my mind. How does he know me better than I know myself? The last thing I’m willing to do is jump into someone else’s predefined box. Heck I won’t even jump into my own self-defined box. What IS the liberal narrative anyway?????? The last thing I will ever do is label myself in a way that categorizes, narrows, simplifies, and defines my mind and my thoughts. I will not ignore my own complexity, that my years of experience living and working in the trenches with the most vulnerable of our society and on the margins with the outcasts of society, have gifted me with. I guess maybe in that way, I would call myself progressive as opposed to being conservative by being narrow, simple, and clearly defined, as well as being an ally and advocate for the most vulnerable.. But there are much more accurate words to describe this, like being human, decent, good citizens, and making a difference.
Looking at the political mess we are in, the main distinction I can see with conservative thinking is that it so easily takes advantage of those that are vulnerable. Immigrants, refugees, minorities, the poor, LGBTQ+, disabled, elderly, all of which are legally protected from discrimination by federal laws. These are the groups of We the People that presently are being taken advantage of and outright oppressed. I’ve always believed and seen that it is not the powerful that need defending. Also, if the needs of the “least” among us are met, then so will the needs of us all. So trying to understand the politics I see today is very hard. I really don’t think conservative really means this. It has been infused with this by the use of labels, insults, cruelty, and the mean policies and propaganda of the extreme right we hear constantly ringing ears of society. The conservative strategy that I see is this, (which I know is inaccurate for most):
Do only what will help the rich and powerful to further one’s own power and make friends with them since that is how a person becomes more powerful. Which in turn brings oppression to We The People. And that oppression usually starts with the weakest and the meekest among us; the vulnerable, the least of these.
Taking advantage of the intellectually vulnerable in order to get votes: uneducated, working poor, elderly, and Christians that are extremely gullible and have been manipulatable into adjoining the church with the state for the sake of power, without being able to foresee or see presently the corruption that is happening for both. Separation of church and state was instituted by our founding fathers for the purpose of preserving the purity and singleness of purpose for both. But today, we have again become very short-sighted as the corruption of church and state is worse than I have ever seen or imagined. Single-issue voters are destructive because there are no single-issue people. We are all complex, layered people.
Conservatism
“Both Jesus and Francis were “conservatives” in the true sense of the term: they conserved what was worth conserving—the core, the transformative life of the Gospel—and did not let accidentals get in the way. They then ended up looking quite “progressive,” radical, and even dangerous to the status quo. This is the biblical pattern, from Abraham to Moses, to Jeremiah, Job, John the Baptist, Mary, and Joseph.” -Richard Rohr https://cac.org/all-things-new-2017-12-25/
In this sense, I see progressives in the same way. Continually growing and pressing forward, all the while preserving the rights of the individual and the constitution of the United States.
Radical comes from the word “root” meaning going back to the roots to nurture growth and progress. In this current political climate, I see liberals being the ones that truly preserve that which is the common good in society, not the conservatives. How have we gotten so twisted and spun around backwards and upside down?
Liberalism
In politics
WRITTEN BY
Kenneth Minogue. See All Contributors
Emeritus Professor of Political Science, London School of Economics. Author of The Liberal Mind and others.
Liberalism, political doctrine that takes protecting and enhancing the freedom of the individual to be the central problem of politics. Liberals typically believe that government is necessary to protect individuals from being harmed by others, but they also recognize that government itself can pose a threat to liberty. As the revolutionary American pamphleteer Thomas Paine expressed it in Common Sense (1776), government is at best “a necessary evil.” Laws, judges, and police are needed to secure the individual’s life and liberty, but their coercive power may also be turned against him.
The problem, then, is to devise a system that gives government the power necessary to protect individual liberty but also prevents those who govern from abusing that power.
See much more from this source: https://www.britannica.com/topic/liberalism
Below are a variety of definitions related to liberal in Wikipedia:
What is a Liberal government?
Liberal democracy is a liberal political ideology and a form of government in which representative democracy operates under the principles of classical liberalism.
Liberalism is a political and moral philosophy based on liberty, consent of the governed (the people) and equality before the law.
Who is the father of modern liberalism?
These ideas were first unified as a distinct ideology by the English philosopher John Locke, generally regarded as the father of modern liberalism. Locke developed the radical notion that government acquires consent from the governed, which has to be constantly present for a government to remain legitimate.
Classical liberalism is a political ideology and a branch of liberalism which advocates civil liberties under the rule of law with an emphasis on economic freedom.
What are the principles of liberal democracy?
Liberal democracy emphasizes the separation of powers, an independent judiciary and a system of checks and balances between branches of government. Liberal democracies are likely to emphasize the importance of the state being a Rechtsstaat, i.e. a state that follows the principle of rule of law.
What is democratic liberalism?
Democratic liberalism aims to reach a synthesis of democracy which is the participation of the people in the power and liberalism, a political and/or social philosophy advocating the freedom of the individual.
Opposite of Liberal
A liberal democracy is a representative democracy with protection for individual liberty and property by rule of law. In contrast, a defensive democracy limits some rights and freedoms in order to protect the institutions of the democracy
An illiberal democracy, also called a partial democracy, flawed democracy, low intensity democracy, empty democracy or guided democracy,[1] is a governing system in which although elections take place, citizens are cut off from knowledge about the activities of those who exercise real power because of the lack of civil liberties; thus it is not an "open society". There are many countries "that are categorized as neither 'free' nor 'not free', but as 'probably free', falling somewhere between democratic and nondemocratic regimes".[2] This may be because a constitution limiting government powers exists, but those in power ignore its liberties, or because an adequate legal constitutional framework of liberties does not exist.
Another Flip Side
“Conservatism is opposition to rapid changes, and supports keeping traditions in society. Gradualism is one form. The first known use of the term in a political context was by François-René de Chateaubriand in 1818. ... The term is associated with right-wing politics. It has been used to describe a wide range of views.”
“A conservative is a person who is averse to change and holds to traditional values and attitudes, typically in relation to politics.”
So… what is the conservative “narrative”???
It is almost laughable to think we can fit someone else into our predefined box when most of us refuse to label ourselves into our own self-defined box.
Interesting perspectives below. How can anyone label another person? I know it is very offensive when I am labeled no matter the label. And I’m sure it is offensive if I were to label you. Above is an example of what some people might think if you say you are a so-called conservative. The interesting thing is that everything is forever in constant change. So do conservatives fight the natural order of things by not wanting improvement or change? Why not accept the truth and work to shape the change that is inevitable (liberal?).
Since conservatives define themselves as being opposed to change and hence stand against the proposed progress of progressives or liberals, then apparently conservatives define themselves in negative terms of what they are not. And therefore conservatives function as guardians of the status quo.
Bottom line: no one should be ok with being labeled by someone else. The only one that can label me is me. The only one that can label you is you. How dare I insult you with a label insinuating your simplicity and shallowness rather than your amazing diversity, complexity, and mystery.
Conservative: If used in a non-political sense, "conservative" simply means "not much."
For example: I'd like a large popcorn with a conservative amount of butter, please.
Conservative: Despite the misgivings of certain individuals who have an absurdly black/white view of the political spectrum, conservatism does not instantly mean hypocrisy and it certainly is not necessarily far-right in philosophy. Conservatism can be broadly categorized in two areas:
1. Fiscal conservatism. A belief in personal responsibility for finances. Scaling back taxation to allow greater control over individual incomes. Conservative thinking promotes cutbacks in public spending enabling tax breaks to be given to those that are earning, and believes in helping those out of work back into self sufficiency.
2. Social conservatism. Contrary to fiscal conservatism, social conservatives believe in placing restrictions on personal freedoms, resulting in more government involvement into the daily lives of individuals. This is also known as neo-conservative.
For example: I am a fiscal conservative, but a social liberal.
Another way to depict the complexity of reality compared to the simplicity of labels that miss the mark.
So, in conclusion, not that I have the right to conclude anything, especially not for you, from what I see as I tried to define this crazy notion of the liberal narrative or the conservative narrative, there is no such thing. All there is is you and me. Each of us sees the world based on the whole of life experiences that have shaped us. We cannot deny ourselves and all of our life experiences and learning. We are who we are for a reason. And NONE of us are the SAME. I guess that’s the point. We are not the same and will never be the same. We all have different perspectives and always will. As long as we honor and respect each other, then we can hold in tension all of the opposites and paradoxes of being human. But as soon as we nullify the very life and essence of another person, then we have denied the essence of our existence. Life or death. Right or wrong. Listen or ignore. Love or hate. Tolerance or fear. You choose.
liberal adjective
lib·er·al | \ ˈli-b(ə-)rəl \
Definition of liberal (Entry 1 of 2)
1 a: of, relating to, or based on the liberal arts
liberal education
2 a: marked by generosity : OPENHANDED
a liberal giver
b: given or provided in a generous and openhanded way
a liberal meal
3: not literal or strict : LOOSE
a liberal translation
4: BROAD-MINDED
especially : not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms
5 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
(In this sense, Liberal sounds like Republican in America.)
liberal noun
lib·er·al | \ ˈli-b(ə-)rəl \
Definition of liberal (Entry 2 of 2)
a person who is liberal: such as
a: one who is open-minded or not strict in the observance of orthodox, traditional, or established forms or ways
b: capitalized: a member or supporter of a liberal political party (see LIBERAL entry 1 sense 6)
c: an advocate or adherent of liberalism especially in individual rights
(The opposite of Liberal in this sense is Totalitarianism)
to·tal·i·tar·i·an·ism
/tōˌtaləˈterēəˌnizəm/
noun
a system of government that is centralized and dictatorial and requires complete subservience to the state.
"democratic countries were fighting against totalitarianism"
Totalitarianism, form of government that theoretically permits no individual freedom and that seeks to subordinate all aspects of individual life to the authority of the state.
au·thor·i·tar·i·an·ism
/ôˌTHäriˈterēənizəm/
noun
the enforcement or advocacy of strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom.
lack of concern for the wishes or opinions of others.
From what I have learned from sources is this. Fill in the blank:
If you are not a liberal, then you are a _________________
Potential answers:
Illiberal (against democracy)
Totalitarian (against individual freedom and rights)
Authoritarian (total control by the government)
Conservative (against change and progress)
So when you call people Liberal in a derogatory sense, then you are insulting yourself for your lack of knowledge about what a true democracy requires.
Endnote
Am I a liberal? Are you a liberal? What I know is I care about people first.
To Those Who Think The Word “Liberal” Is An Insult
By Tom King
https://wsau.com/2020/10/15/91453/
Let’s break it down, shall we? Because quite frankly, I’m getting a little tired of being told what I believe and what I stand for. Spoiler alert: Not every liberal is the same, though the majority of liberals I know think along roughly these same lines:
1. I believe a country should take care of its weakest members. A country cannot call itself civilized when its children, disabled, sick, and elderly are neglected. Period.
2. I believe healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Somehow that’s interpreted as “I believe Obamacare is the end-all, be-all.” This is not the case. I’m fully aware that the ACA has problems, that a national healthcare system would require everyone to chip in, and that it’s impossible to create one that is devoid of flaws, but I have yet to hear an argument against it that makes “let people die because they can’t afford healthcare” a better alternative. I believe healthcare should be far cheaper than it is, and that everyone should have access to it. And no, I’m not opposed to paying higher taxes in the name of making that happen.
3. I believe education should be affordable and accessible to everyone. It doesn’t necessarily have to be free (though it works in other countries so I’m mystified as to why it can’t work in the US), but at the end of the day, there is no excuse for students graduating college saddled with five- or six-figure debt.
4. I don’t believe your money should be taken from you and given to people who don’t want to work. I have literally never encountered anyone who believes this. Ever. I just have a massive moral problem with a society where a handful of people can possess the majority of the wealth while there are people literally starving to death, freezing to death, or dying because they can’t afford to go to the doctor. Fair wages, lower housing costs, universal healthcare, affordable education, and the wealthy actually paying their share would go a long way toward alleviating this. Somehow believing that makes me a communist.
5. I don’t throw around “I’m willing to pay higher taxes” lightly. I’m retired and on a fixed income, but I still pay taxes. If I’m suggesting something that involves paying more, well, it’s because I’m fine with paying my share as long as it’s actually going to something besides lining corporate pockets or bombing other countries while Americans die without healthcare.
6. I believe companies should be required to pay their employees a decent, livable wage. Somehow this is always interpreted as me wanting burger flippers to be able to afford a penthouse apartment and a Mercedes. What it actually means is that no one should have to work three full-time jobs just to keep their head above water. Restaurant servers should not have to rely on tips, multibillion dollar companies should not have employees on food stamps, workers shouldn’t have to work themselves into the ground just to barely make ends meet, and minimum wage should be enough for someone to work 40 hours and live.
7. I am not anti-Christian. I have no desire to stop Christians from being Christians, to close churches, to ban the Bible, to forbid prayer in school, etc. (BTW, prayer in school is NOT illegal; *compulsory* prayer in school is – and should be – illegal). All I ask is that Christians recognize *my* right to live according to *my* beliefs. When I get pissed off that a politician is trying to legislate Scripture into law, I’m not “offended by Christianity” — I’m offended that you’re trying to force me to live by your religion’s rules. You know how you get really upset at the thought of Muslims imposing Sharia law on you? That’s how I feel about Christians trying to impose biblical law on me. Be a Christian. Do your thing. Just don’t force it on me or mine.
8. I don’t believe LGBT people should have more rights than you. I just believe they should have the *same* rights as you.
9. I don’t believe illegal immigrants should come to America and have the world at their feet, especially since THIS ISN’T WHAT THEY DO (spoiler: undocumented immigrants are ineligible for all those programs they’re supposed to be abusing, and if they’re “stealing” your job it’s because your employer is hiring illegally). I’m not opposed to deporting people who are here illegally, but I believe there are far more humane ways to handle undocumented immigration than our current practices (i.e., detaining children, splitting up families, ending DACA, etc).
10. I don’t believe the government should regulate everything, but since greed is such a driving force in our country, we NEED regulations to prevent cut corners, environmental destruction, tainted food/water, unsafe materials in consumable goods or medical equipment, etc. It’s not that I want the government’s hands in everything — I just don’t trust people trying to make money to ensure that their products/practices/etc. are actually SAFE. Is the government devoid of shadiness? Of course not. But with those regulations in place, consumers have recourse if they’re harmed and companies are liable for medical bills, environmental cleanup, etc. Just kind of seems like common sense when the alternative to government regulation is letting companies bring their bottom line into the equation.
11. I believe our current administration is fascist. Not because I dislike them or because I can’t get over an election, but because I’ve spent too many years reading and learning about the Third Reich to miss the similarities. Not because any administration I dislike must be Nazis, but because things are actually mirroring authoritarian and fascist regimes of the past.
12. I believe the systemic racism and misogyny in our society is much worse than many people think, and desperately needs to be addressed. Which means those with privilege — white, straight, male, economic, etc. — need to start listening, even if you don’t like what you’re hearing, so we can start dismantling everything that’s causing people to be marginalized.
13. I am not interested in coming after your blessed guns, nor is anyone serving in government. What I am interested in is sensible policies, including background checks, that just MIGHT save one person’s, perhaps a toddler’s, life by the hand of someone who should not have a gun. (Got another opinion? Put it on your page, not mine).
14. I believe in so-called political correctness. I prefer to think it’s social politeness. If call you Chuck and you say you prefer to be called Charles I’ll call you Charles. It’s the polite thing to do. Not because everyone is a delicate snowflake, but because as Maya Angelou put it, when we know better, we do better. When someone tells you that a term or phrase is more accurate/less hurtful than the one you’re using, you now know better. So why not do better? How does it hurt you to NOT hurt another person?
15. I believe in funding sustainable energy, including offering education to people currently working in coal or oil so they can change jobs. There are too many sustainable options available for us to continue with coal and oil. Sorry, billionaires. Maybe try investing in something else.
16. I believe that women should not be treated as a separate class of human. They should be paid the same as men who do the same work, should have the same rights as men and should be free from abuse. Why on earth shouldn’t they be?
I think that about covers it. Bottom line is that I’m a liberal because I think we should take care of each other. That doesn’t mean you should work 80 hours a week so your lazy neighbor can get all your money. It just means I don’t believe there is any scenario in which preventable suffering is an acceptable outcome as long as money is saved. https://wsau.com/2020/10/15/91453/
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