Why is "liberal" such a dirty word in the US?

[Last Roman]

Well, as every American knows, it's election time and the political ads are everywhere. And at least one Republican ad portrays their opponent as "just another liberal politician" so? If a Democratic candidate said their opponent was "just another conservative politician" most wouldn't think twice about it. Why are liberals to be hated in America? For the most part, both conservatives and liberals want the same thing, a strong and prosperous America, though they go about it different ways. So why are liberals painting as demonic America-haters? Is it just a way to gain votes, do conservatives really think that liberals are out to destroy America or is it both?

[sephodwyrm]

Liberalism, in the minds of a large portion of the American population, represents these things
- unlicensed sex and homosexuality
- moral relativism
- disobedience to authority

But liberalism, to me, is the biggest gift to humanity by the western civilization. Its just that some people don't agree with it, that's all. It represents Humanist Rationality and a respect for dignity and choice. Democracy as a natural attained right and not a militarily enforced puppet.

[Big War Bird]

Liberal means higher taxes, nanny government, less free speech, more taxes, worsening education, more lawyers and legislating judges.

[Last Roman]

Liberal means higher taxes, nanny government, less free speech, more taxes, worsening education, more lawyers and legislating judges.

That's not what it's supposed to mean

[danzig]

That's not what it's supposed to mean

Its not but its what some 'liberal' politicians have helped provide ammo to people on the right to redefine it. Its the same way conservative is now distorted into being defined as completely resistant to change and jesus freaks. The meaning of being liberal and conservative has pretty much been hijacked by the opposing side and reinforced by some nut jobs on each.

[Erik]

The meaning of being liberal and conservative has pretty much been hijacked by the opposing side and reinforced by some nut jobs on each.

I think this is the answer.

Americans' don't hate liberalism (=lower taxes, smaller government, more freedoms).
They just turned the word "liberal" into meaning something very different, something they hate.

But don't worry: they invented a new word "Libertarianism" to take over the original meaning of liberalism.
Until the conservatives hijack "Libertarianism" as well, then they need a new word.
Something like "Libertarianisissizzizmo"

I think the real question is:
Why do Americans hate socialism so much?
Because that's really what they refer to when they say "liberalism" (ahhh...the irony).
I suspect it's because of the cold war.
In Europe calling yourself a socialist is very popular, even ultra-right conservatives like Tony Bliar call themselves socialists. (go figure).

[danzig]

I think the real question is:
Why do Americans hate socialism so much?

Because it runs counter to who we are, we can no more be socialists (on a whole) then you (Europeans) could be libertarians.

[Fenris]

Liberal means less free speech, worsening education

Pardon me?

How are they worsening education? By teaching evolution instead of creationism?

[JP226]

maybe because it's modern sense is a very flawed ideology

[Ó Cathasaigh]

Liberal means higher taxes, nanny government, less free speech, more taxes, worsening education, more lawyers and legislating judges.

and that's what Halloween means to me.

[RZZZA]

To me liberalism means social programs and higher taxes.

Which is something I want and long for. Hell, someone needs to take charge and slap us back down to reality. Who knew it'd be the idealistic progressive liberals to do it.

[Big War Bird]

To me liberalism means social programs and higher taxes.

Which is something I want and long for. Hell, someone needs to take charge and slap us back down to reality. Who knew it'd be the idealistic progressive liberals to do it.

So RZZZA, are you such a slobbering idiot that you need someone to take your money from you and spend on your behalf?

This is a serious question, not a flame.

[RZZZA]

So RZZZA, are so such a slobbering idiot that you need someone to take your money from you and spend on your behalf?

This is a serious question, not a flame.

Yes, most americans are.

[JP226]

That's not what it's supposed to mean

essentially modern liberalism means socialism, higher taxes, a nanny state poor educational system and bigger government.

[RZZZA]

a nanny state? i dont think liberalism ever meant that...


and by "bigger government" I think you mean "social programs" like universal healthcare or welfare or something like that. Public service programs meant to solve a problem or help the people.

What would republicans know about that?

[Last Roman]

essentially modern liberalism means socialism, higher taxes, a nanny state poor educational system and bigger government.

well that's not liberalism. That's what the leftist Democratic party wants (and leftist doesn't automatically equal liberal)

How I define liberalism:

Liberalism is an ideology, broad political tradition, and current of political thought, which holds liberty as the primary political value. Broadly speaking, liberalism seeks a society characterized by freedom of thought for individuals, limitations on the power of government and religion (and sometimes corporations), the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market economy that supports private enterprise, and a system of government that is transparent. This form of government favors liberal democracy with open and fair elections, where all citizens have equal rights by law, and an equal opportunity to succeed.

doesn't sound so bad does it?

[Carach]

Liberalism is not liberal in the 21st century.

[JP226]

We obviously need to be told what to spend our money on, as the record debt will attest to.

not to go off course, the debt is only a record in nominal terms

[RZZZA]

Why do you want to write off some 26,000 dollars of debt for every american in the country as a trifle or some sort of mere nuisance? Every day the debt grows by some 3 billion dollars.

[Last Roman]

I'm not against socialism is small bits (like welfare), but I certainly don't want a full out socialist system (like say, Sweden)