Democrats=Liberals???

Question

I have always wondered why, most of the time, democrats consider themselves liberals (from what i have observed, that is). I thought democrats are for a smaller government with rule by individuality. Since liberalism strives for larger government- how are they related???

(And don't go blabberin to me that liberals want a smaller government, because that is a libertarian/conservative ideal. If you don't believe me, think about it.)

Answer 1

LIBERALISM: "A political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of man, and the autonomy of the individual, and standing for the protection of political and civil liberties."

CONSERVATISM: "A political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions and preferring gradual development to abrupt change."

It seems like we all have a little bit of both ideologies in us. I don't know a conservative who doesn't want his political and civil liberties protects; nor do I know a liberal who doesn't want social stability.

We've been brainwashed by propagandists like Al Franken and Rush Limbaugh to attach artificial labels to ourselves without even understanding their definitions. If Limbaugh says liberals want big government, we foolishly believe him. If Franken says conservaties a big fat idiots, we stupidly follow along like sheep. And these blubber - mouths laugh all the way to the banks while a monoplisitic, corrupt two-party system keeps its strangle hold on our electoral process, allowing voters little choice - or little voice - in who becomes leaders in our government.

Maybe it's time to start thinking for ourselves and stop bickering over whether liberals or conservatives are best.

Why not unify this nation into crushing this political monopoly that tricks us into thinking we're actually 'involved' as they trade places every four, six or eight years?? As long as we remain divided, the "Republicrats" win every time. And the citizenry loses.  -RKO- 06/28/08

Answer 2

No, Liberals and Democrats have always been (during my lifetime) for Big government. They wish to care for us from cradle to grave. Even if we prefer to work for what we have; then they want to take it to give to someone else. Makes little sense to me.

Answer 3

There are liberal democrats and liberal republicans, just as there are conservative democrats and conservative republicans.

Answer 4

•Liberal

N. One who is generous, one who favors greater freedom in political or religious matters.

One free from prejudice or narrow thinking.

Opp. Stingy, mean, bigoted or conservative.

I believe in personal responsibility. I do not agree that it is right for a politicial figure to tell me whether it is right or wrong to do something.

I believe that God is the boss. And I will answer to him, not a Con.

Ill tell you this much, Ill never have to live with killing innocent people cause my government said I should.

Answer 5

It's funny but the democrats are conservative when you think about it. They don't like high wire acts but rather like social safety nets in case we fall.

Republicans are liberals that recklessly like the high wire acts throwing caution to the wind.

Answer 6

Democrats have always been for big government. They create it with social program after social program.

The more social programs that are created the more government workers have to be hired to run the program.

Once a social program is begun it is almost impossible to ever get rid of it. This is how the federal government has become the largest employer in the country.

Answer 7

Its just sloppy nomenclature.

There are a wide variety of Democrats, some considerably more conservative than Republicans would like to  advertise.

In fact the majority of Democrats now, are where the Goldwater conservatives were years ago.

Goldwater didn't like abortion, but was consistent with the idea of less government intervention in private lives, so he didn't think laws banning it were right.

A platform of the Republican party has been for many years now to make abortion illegal again, making government decisions for people, not allowing them to make their own decision.

Umm, actually that's rather fascist, although I shy away from labeling this desire to legally mandate morality with such a prejudicial label.

Its not rule by individuality, its decisions by the individual in matters which affect them the most.

That's quite different.

Liberalism doesn't strive for larger government, indeed the federal government has grown more under Bush than at any other time.  I do think we would all benefit from more effective government, not just larger government.

Answer 8

Liberals have taken over the Democratic Party...but of course there are still some Blue Dog Democrats, Reagan Democrats, etc...they are gravitating to being Independents or even Republicans these days...

Answer 9

liberals want to give someone a fish so they will eat today, conservatives want to teach them to fish so they will always be able to eat.  

Todays political landscape follows that to the T.  Obama just talks about how people cant do it and how the evil conservatives are keeppping them down.  

To bad both parties are being taken over by the far left.

Answer 10

Sorry but you are wrong. Liberalism is the belief that wealth must be redistributed from the haves to the have nots through the strong arm of the govt. Liberals force people to live their lives from the liberal beliefs through laws and regulations with the fear of imprisonment or heavy taxation. Want an example. Tax credits on hybrids. this is a form of control to get what they want with incentives. they want to stiffel free speach with the new fairness bill that will silence conservative talk radio. Liberals demonize Fox news when they have control over all the other tv stations. Liberals think they are smarter than the average person and want to control the the thinking and lifestyle of everyone. Public transport dictates where people live if gas gets too expensive which they support. Libs want America to be more like Europe? Why? Europe does not work. Liberals want to tax the rich because they should pay their "fair" share then give to the poor so the poor stay poor and miserable so they keep voting dem. example the inner city ghettos.

Conservatives are for smaller less intrusive govt and the freedon to live one's own life. Notice I did not say Republicans.

You could not be more wrong on your assertations.