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H A T I S A L I B E R A L ?
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Defining
Liberalism
Here's how some organizations, individuals, Web
sites, and reference works have defined a liberal. Perhaps one of them
closely matches your political beliefs, or is similar to your definition
of a liberal.
Liberal. [n]
a person who favors a political philosophy of progress and reform
and the protection of civil liberties. -- HyperDictionary.com
A person who believes it is the duty of government to ameliorate social
conditions and create a more equitable society. Liberals favor generous
spending on the welfare state; they exhibit a concern for minorities,
the poor, and the disadvantaged and often see these conditions as a product
of social injustices rather than individual failings. Liberals also tend
to be concerned about environmental issues, the defense of civil liberties,
and do not favor excessive military spending. -- iAmericanSpirit
Political Dictionary
 "Liberal"
signifies an openness to change and respect for individual liberties within
a societal framework in which all have equal opportunity. -- Mike
Silverman (<), TurnLeft.com
Liberals tend to favor greater federal power to remedy social inequities,
and to support freedom of personal choice and behavior. Liberals are described
as being left of center on the political spectrum. Of the two major political
parties, the Democratic Party is generally regarded as being more liberal.
-- Election Glossary, Public Broadcasting System (PBS)
[Liberals] generally believe in some form of income redistribution, a
social safety net, universal health care, progressive values, and a multilateral
foreign policy. -- Harvard University Institute of Politics Glossary
of Political Terms
[Liberals
are] people who believe in individualism, freedom, equality, the social
contract, and rational evidence-based (as opposed to morality-based) public
policy. -- Liberal Forum
In today's world, the liberals are the idealists, the people who still
believe, in spite of everything that has happened, that they can make
the world a better place for everybody. They believe that government is
inherently good, that it can make the human condition better. They believe
that we have some obligation to our fellow human beings. They believe
in personal freedom, in freedom of speech and religion. They believe in
the common good, the things people cannot do alone. -- Henrietta
Hay, Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
Liberalism
is not so much a party creed or set of fixed platform promises as it is
an attitude of mind and heart, a faith in man's ability through the experiences
of his reason and judgment to increase for himself and his fellow men
the amount of justice and freedom and brotherhood which all human life
deserves. -- Sen. John F. Kennedy (>), September 14,
1960
The following views could be considered typical of American liberalism
today: Support for government social programs such as welfare, medical
care, unemployment benefits, and retirement programs. Support for trade
unions and strong regulation of business. Support for the rights of women
and minorities, particularly racial and religious minorities, the disabled,
and homosexuals. Support for strong environmental regulations. Support
for public transit. Opposition to the death penalty. Support for abortion
rights. Support for animal rights. Support for gun control. -- Word
iQ
A liberal is someone who strives for individual freedom and liberty. He
believes in enforcing laws, free enterprise, and worker protection. She
believes in quality education, nondiscrimination, and environmental protections.
Liberals try to use the government to improve the quality of life of American
citizens. -- Amy Schley, The Missouri Miner
R E
T U R N T O
What
Is A Liberal?
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