Main Entry:2liberal
Function:noun
Date:1820
1 : a person who is liberal: as a : one who is open-minded or not strict in the observance of orthodox, traditional, or established forms or ways b capitalized : a member or supporter of a liberal political party c : an advocate or adherent of liberalism especially in individual rights
2 : lacking moral restraint : LICENTIOUS
3 : not literal or strict : LOOSE *a liberal translation*
4 : BROAD-MINDED; especially : not bound by
authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms
5 : of, favoring, or based upon the principles of liberalism b 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
Wonderful, Dave, but not one bit of that definition defined what it meant to be a liberal in a political sense, which is context in which we're using it here on this thread. What do liberals feel is the proper relationship between the government and the governed? Is a modern liberal different from an historical one? And, how am I a liberal?
They love thinking of themselves as broad minded and intelligent. My dad always described conservatives, which hated, as being "status quo" and never wanting to change anything.