http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2007-11-12-liberal-conservative_N.htm

 

Hillary Rodham Clinton was asked this summer if she would describe herself as a "liberal."

The Democratic front-runner shied away, saying the "word" — noticeably not using the word — has taken on a connotation that "describes big government.

 

"I prefer the word 'progressive,'" she said. It has a "real American meaning."

 

Then she expanded the term to "modern progressive," and, finally, clarified that she was a "modern American progressive."

 

But while Democrats are emboldened, they remain wary of the term "liberal."

 

Republicans, by contrast, are as unpopular in the polls as they have been for at least 15 years.

 

Nonetheless, the label "conservative" remains in vogue.

 

At a recent Republican debate, Rudy Giuliani referred to himself as a "conservative" four times in roughly the same time span — a minute or so — it took Clinton to reject the word "liberal" and embrace "progressive."

 

In seven Republican debates this year the word "conservative" was used 100 times. In the seven Democratic debates the word "liberal" was used four times — not once by a candidate.

 

I thought this was interesting.

These "labels" and their connotations are just such rubbish.:irked:

 

These days, "liberal" is meant as the worst of insults. Yet in the dictionary, the entries include:

 

-a man of free birth

-marked by generosity

-broad-minded

-associated with ideals of individual freedom, economic freedom, and greater individual participation in government.

 

Wow, that sounds terrible!!

 

 

Now, as to "conservatives", I would like for someone to tell me just exactly what it is that our current batch of "conservatives" are conserving?

 

Public money? No.

International goodwill? Uhh,No.

Natural resources? Again, no.

The Bill of Rights? No.

 

:confused:

^ Liberal and Conservative in the American political vernacular have much different meanings than their literal definition.

^ Liberal and Conservative in the American political vernacular have much different meanings than their literal definition.

 

 

 

True, but do we even have definitions anymore? What makes someone a conservative? You can give me the traditional answer, but I’m not going to buy it. Groups that once championed free trade are now wary of the word. Others have increased the number of federal employees beyond our wildest dreams.

 

It’s a ploy to mass generalize, plain and simple.

 

:banana:That’s why I refuse to vote!:banana:

True, but do we even have definitions anymore? What makes someone a conservative? You can give me the traditional answer, but I’m not going to buy it. Groups that once championed free trade are now wary of the word. Others have increased the number of federal employees beyond our wildest dreams.

 

You won't find much of an argument here. I think you can give a specific ideology a name, but for the most part it's just rhetoric in today's world, as evidenced by the number of times it was thrown about in the debates.

 

It’s a ploy to mass generalize, plain and simple.

 

I don't blame the politicians for selling it nearly as much as I blame the populace for buying it.

These "labels" and their connotations are just such rubbish.:irked:

 

The term "shamrock fan" is a label. Therefore I assume you think it's rubbish, too....

 

Labels are actually good. When you go to the medicine cabinet, you better hope there are accurate labels.

 

We use terms like Kentucky Fan, Louisville Fan, etc. Those labels actually tell us bits of information. Not the WHOLE story, but helpful , and often, significant info.

 

These days, "liberal" is meant as the worst of insults. Yet in the dictionary, the entries include:

 

-a man of free birth

-marked by generosity

-broad-minded

-associated with ideals of individual freedom, economic freedom, and greater individual participation in government.

 

 

 

Now, as to "conservatives", I would like for someone to tell me just exactly what it is that our current batch of "conservatives" are conserving?

 

Public money? No.

International goodwill? Uhh,No.

Natural resources? Again, no.

The Bill of Rights? No.

 

:confused:

 

I find it interesting that you use the dictionary to help you define liberal (not "liberals"), but make up your own definition for conservative"s" (a group of people, not a "perspective")

 

I can see why you placed a "confused" symbol at the end of your post....

 

 

Now, as to "conservatives", I would like for someone to tell me just exactly what it is that our current batch of "conservatives" are conserving?

 

 

 

:confused:

 

Unborn babies lives.

The Christian vote carried Bush. And the Dems realize this. They are wanting our vote this time. I didn't vote for W, in fact I mad my Christian buddies mad when I spoke against him. Now we just don't speak of it. I pray that someone comes forward to lead our nation.

You won't find much of an argument here. I think you can give a specific ideology a name, but for the most part it's just rhetoric in today's world, as evidenced by the number of times it was thrown about in the debates.

 

 

 

I don't blame the politicians for selling it nearly as much as I blame the populace for buying it.

 

 

Touché, well played

 

 

 

That was from half-court, by the way.

The Christian vote carried Bush. And the Dems realize this. They are wanting our vote this time. I didn't vote for W, in fact I mad my Christian buddies mad when I spoke against him. Now we just don't speak of it. I pray that someone comes forward to lead our nation.

 

Who is our? Bush didn't have my Christian vote.

Who is our? Bush didn't have my Christian vote.

He didn't have this Christians vote either.

Nor this one.

Unborn babies lives.

 

Too bad that they don't conserve more of our soldiers' lives.

Too bad that they don't conserve more of our soldiers' lives.

 

3500 abortions A DAY vs. 3800 soldiers lives over the length of this war. Every person who has lost their life is a sad tragedy.

 

I wish people were as upset about the 3500 abortions each day in comparison to the 3800 over a 5 year period.

3500 abortions A DAY vs. 3800 soldiers lives over the length of this war. Every person who has lost their life is a sad tragedy.

 

I wish people were as upset about the 3500 abortions each day in comparison to the 3800 over a 5 year period.

:thumb: