Would you consider me Liberal?

Question

I am an atheist who supports g*y marriage, abortion, stem cell research, evolution, and diplomatic foreign policy. I do not support affirmative action or political correctness.

Is that liberalism?

Answer 1

Independent w/ liberal beliefs.

That's the best I got.

Answer 2

Are you for big government and high taxes? If so, yes.

Answer 3

No that is a distorted caricature of liberalism.

Answer 4

It means you are level headed

Answer 5

We call that Libertarianism. I am a registered republican who favors abortion, g*y marriage/adoption, guns and small government. I am against the patriot act and the war in iraq, and I am also against affirmative action and the minimum wage.

Answer 6

Liberalism as defined in the classical sense is considering individual liberty to be the most important goal. American liberalism seeks for a greater role of the government. Your stated leanings might make you a liberal but I would rather say, you are a social liberal rather than a conservative one.

The basic difference between liberalism and conservatism in America is on the role of the government. Typically, liberals seek a greater role while conservatives leave it up to the individuals. However, as you know, in recent times we might have seen roles interchanged.

In the current political scene, Ron Paul is closest to being a conservative and Dennis Kucinich is closest to being a liberal. Rest all are somewhere in between and criss-crossing across beliefs. But no one can be either a liberal or a conservative but just can be more of either.

Eric - you are partly right about that but size of government and taxes have increased under Republican rule as well.

Answer 7

The word 'liberal' has been deliberately misused by Republicans for so long that it hardly means anything any more.

By the original, 'true' meaning of 'liberal', you are liberal in some issues and conservative in others.

Answer 8

Yes

Answer 9

Why label yourself at all?  Just call yourself an American.