I really am a Liberal!
Based on the definitions of the terms “liberalism” and “conservatism”, I am definitely a liberal. I’ve also concluded that the Republican Party used to be left of moderate by today’s standards. Now it is conservative draconian.
I haven’t changed my views that much since I was 18. If anything, I’m more conservative, but the country and the Republican party have shifted so far to the right that I’m now a flaming liberal.
Some definitions I needed to review:
All definitions are from Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary
Main Entry:
class=< “variant”>lib·er·al·ism
Function:noun
Date: 1819
1: the quality or state of being liberal
2 a : often capitalized: a movement in modern Protestantism emphasizing intellectual liberty and the spiritual and ethical content of Christianity b: a theory in economics emphasizing individual freedom from restraint and usually based on free competition, the self-regulating market, and the gold standard c: a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, and the autonomy of the individual and standing for the protection of political and civil liberties: capitalized : the principles and policies of a Liberal party
Main Entry: 1lib·er·al
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin liberalis suitable for a freeman, generous, from liber free; perhaps akin to Old English l?odan to grow, Greek eleutheros free
Date: 14th century
1 a: of, relating to, or based on the liberal arts liberal education b: archaic : of or befitting a man of free birth
2 a: marked by generosity : openhanded a liberal giver; b: given or provided in a generous and openhanded way;a liberal meal; c: ample , full
3 obsolete : lacking moral restraint : licentious
4: not literal or strict: loose ;a liberal translation;
5: broad-minded; especially: not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms
6 a: of, favoring, or based upon the principles of liberalismb: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
Main Entry:
con·ser·va·tism
Function: noun
Date: 1832
1 capitalized a: the principles and policies of a Conservative party b: the Conservative party
2: disposition in politics to preserve what is established: a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change; specifically: such a philosophy calling for lower taxes, limited government regulation of business and investing, a strong national defense, and individual financial responsibility for personal needs (as retirement income or health-care coverage)
3: the tendency to prefer an existing or traditional situation to change
Main Entry: con·ser·va·tive
Function: adjective
Date: 14th century
1: preservative: of or relating to a philosophy of conservatism b capitalized: of or constituting a political party professing the principles of conservatism: as (1): of or constituting a party of the United Kingdom advocating support of established institutions
(2): progressive conservative
3 a: tending or disposed to maintain existing views, conditions, or institutions : traditional b: marked by moderation or caution;a conservative estimate; c: marked by or relating to traditional norms of taste, elegance, style, or manners
4: of, relating to, or practicing Conservative Judaism
Main Entry: draconian
Function:
adjective
Usage: often capitalized
Etymology: Latin Dracon-, Draco, from Greek Drakon Draco (Athenian lawgiver)
Date: 1775
1: of, relating to, or characteristic of Draco or the severe code of laws held to have been framed by him
2: cruel; also: severe <draconian littering fines>
Who is Draco? Draco is the Latin word for “dragon”, but it is also Greek for “lawgiver”. Draco was an Athenian lawgiver whose harsh legal code punished both trivial and serious crimes in Athens with death—hence the continued use of the word draconian to describe repressive legal measures.
I believe this election has shown that most of the population is sick and tired of the far right and all its rhetoric that being a liberal or a moderate is un-American. We are all Americans. We are most of the population of America. We’re tired of all the partisan politics and we want to be unified under one leader and given some direction so we can get to work and make this country great again.
\\ tags: conservatism, conservative, draconian, liberal, liberalism, Politics
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