why do people support liberals?

The meaning of the word 'liberal' changes from time to time and from culture to culture. Indeed, it changes from mouth to mouth.

Still, there is a standard definition. To learn what it is, I suggest a dip into the works of Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill and Alexis de Tocqueville.

People from the United States generally mean 'Socialist' when they say 'liberal'. This is because Socialism is a dirty word in America, so people with a Socialist outlook are forced to call themselves something else in order to avoid the fear, hatred and scorn of their fellow-citizens. The word they have chosen (erroneously) to describe themselves is 'liberal'.

This is depressing for real liberals like me, who have to put up with being lumped (by Americans) with real-life Socialists, who are as different from genuine liberals as they are from conservatives.

Originally posted by worksoftplayhard

Originally posted by sensfan
show me a list of broken liberal promisses, and I'll show you a list just as long of Conservative broken promises.

are you saying you support those lib lefties? you should know your supporting a criminal (thou shal not steal from the taxpayer)

Do you actually have the ability to debate?

I've yet to see a valid statement, argument or point made by yourself, including the initial post of this thread.

Stop ranting and make some valid points instead of just slating people for trying to answer your initial ignorance.

Originally posted by Astyanax
People from the United States generally mean 'Socialist' when they say 'liberal'.

Even though we are talking about Canada, I wanted to address your post because the Conservative Americans disdain for Liberals is something I find very interesting. Especially when they go on about how Canada is a bunch of Liberals/socialists.

Compare the founding of the two countries:

The US came into being through revolution, which by it's very nature is liberal. Americans have the right to bear arms in the constitution, also very liberal. Abolishment of the slave trade, and that little war you had over it, was a pretty liberal thing to do.

Canada became a country through legal means and negotiation and has never cut it's ties to the crown and the queen, which is the conservative way of doing things.

Throughout history the US has always been more Liberal, in the true sense of the word, than Canada. Look at recent history - regime change is hella-liberal, and the conservatives support that.






[edit on 8-4-2006 by Duzey]