If you believe being effusive is the main mark of a liberal, then you are most deceived. Read this defense of "what a liberal is" and "why that is the proper path" for humanity to take, and as you do it, ask yourself where the current administration's words and actions fall on these things. Perhaps there is no "liberal" and "conservative" in political terms anymore. Perhaps there is only "elites" and non-elites."
Crazy old Ron Paul, while not on every issue, fell more squarely on being conservative on social issues and liberal on political ones, by the strict definitions. See where that got him. All he can do now is say, pretty accurately, "I told you so" and "Good luck with that!"
War and peace
Conservatives often accuse liberals of being “soft on defense”. Liberals are not soft on defense. When it comes to the defense of our nation they are every bit as vigilant as the most hard line conservative. For example, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, probably the most liberal President we’ve ever had, led our country successfully through World War II, the largest war ever fought.
Liberals are repelled by war, and therefore believe that it should be used only when necessary. They recognize and are very concerned about the ubiquitous death, carnage and destruction that result from war.
They therefore believe in international law as an important means of preventing war. The United Nations Charter contains the basic principles on this issue. With regard to the use of force, the UN Charter takes as its starting point Article 2(4), which prohibits any nation from using force against another. The charter allows for only two exceptions to this rule: when force is required in self-defense (Article 51) or when the Security Council authorizes the use of force to protect international peace and security (Chapter VII).
Civil liberties
Civil liberties are part and parcel of the rule of law in our country. They are written into our Constitution for very good reason. They include those proclaimed in our Bill of Rights, including freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom against unreasonable searches and seizures, the right to a fair trial, and freedom from cruel or unusual punishment inflicted by government, among others. Without them we risk submitting to tyranny. Our Founding Fathers recognized this, which is why they put the Bill of Rights, the first Ten Amendments, into our Constitution shortly after it was ratified. Liberals recognize this, which is why they struggle to defend our civil liberties against infringement by conservatives.
Domestic economic policies
Liberals believe in the part of our Declaration of Independence that says that everyone is entitled to “the pursuit of happiness”. Another way of saying this is that they believe that all Americans should have the opportunity for a fulfilling life. That means the right to health care, a decent education, a safe and healthy workplace, a healthful environment, a secure environment, and a place to live, among other things.
In pursuit of all those things, liberals believe that government has an important role to play. Such a role can involve many things, including: the direct provision of jobs; subsidies for health care, education, and housing; laws that protect the right of labor to organize; placing limits on the rights of corporations to pollute our environment, form monopolies, subject workers to dangerous or unhealthy working conditions, or engage in loan sharking; social security laws to ensure a reasonably comfortable retirement; and financial help (in the form of a social safety net) to those who are unable to work.
All of these things are akin to FDR’s New Deal, which pulled our country out of the Great Depression, brought our country an unprecedented level of prosperity, and created a large middle class.
Yes, this all requires taxes. Conservatives call that “big government”. What it really is is responsible government – government responsive to the needs of the people who elect their government to serve them. If you want to call that “big government” then go ahead and call it that.
The rule of law
Liberals believe in the rule of law. They understand that our Constitution forms the foundation for our legal system, and accordingly they believe it must be protected and fought for.
If anyone can read these basic beliefs of true "liberals," and not have a laughing or choking fit as they think about Barry and company, then they are completely delusional.
