Is it okay to saddle the line between liberal and conservatism?
550078
I think most people do.  I'm fairly liberal in most respects, but the Bush folks' lies convinced me in the run-up to the Iraq war it might be justified.  I'm in favor of social programs, but I don't particularly like taxes.  I'm pro-choice, but I understand the moral dilemma abortion raises.  \n\nThe real problem is that both liberals and conservatives have used their political positions as a way to react to issues in knee-jerk brainless types of ways.  We need to stop seeing the world through the lens of conservative and liberal and instead start trying to construct genuine solutions to the problems of our world.  Instead of using ideology to see the world, we need to use rationality.
1128422
Liberal, or independent, tough choice. Definitely not a conservative, they only do it in the missionary position for procreation purposes only. Liberals get their kink on and independents can when the mood is right, I guess I will have to go with liberal, for a sure thing.
1110600
Though I am not a liberal, I have found that wacko conservatives are more stubborn know it alls than are liberals. Personally, I think both are retarded, but that's just the opinion of a hard line moderate.
98575
You're going to get some real heat over this question. Conservatives will say you are not entitled to your opinions. Whenever a liberal administration takes over, you will see the world will step back from the brink.  I just pray we don't get past the 'tipping point' (see link). \nConservatives care about conservatives, but liberals care about everyone.
854577
A conservative one, yes.
1179850
Liberal is left wing\n\nConservative is right wing\n\nThink of it as a line with 0 as the center and 1 thru ten going in each direction. People land somewhere on that scale based on their politics.
1037465
Since you asked...my definition of "liberal" is one who believes in government sponsored programs designed to provide benefits such as healthcare, financial aid, and education to individuals in low income brackets.  This is accomplished by high tax rates on the upper level income earners.  They profess a belief in a strong middle class, have an aversion to corporations and "big business" and feel that privacy is the most important thing, other than helping the poor.\n\nConservatives are people who believe in business, big and small and feel that the money they earn should be retained by them, not spent on others.  They believe that since the highest income earners are also usually the ones who employ the middle and lower class, they should get a break because without them, there wouldn't be jobs.  Pro-gun, pro-military, agressive foreign policy (shoot first ask questions later).  They also believe in personal liberty, but often see compromises with that liberty as okay when it's for the good of the country.\n\nMe, I'm a Libertarian.  I am definitely more right than left, but I see that conservatives and liberals both have screwed up the government.  Neither one is in touch with anything except their bank accounts and hate.  I think I can stomach the right more because the views are a little more in line with mine and democrats (I'm gonna say it)...are hypocrites.
922471
If you are in the States, I believe you mean the Democrats.  Liberal is a political standpoint, like conservative.  Republican & Democrat are actually political parties.
109336
Absolutely.  It's what this country is founded on.  If not everything you said would become subjective.  If the right person didn't like what you said you'd be screwed.  This way we know where the line is.  There isn't one.
706440
intillectual liberals? isn't that a bit of an oxymoron?
232355
I am principally a Democrat. BUt if the Democrat is too liberal, i will consider the GOP candidiate.
306262
Personally, I believe that liberals are a valuable part of the democratic institution in the United States. So are conservatives. Discussion and debate is healthy for our republic and should be encouraged. Uniformity in thinking and political ideology is what leads to things like fascism, dictatorship and/or totalitarianism. \n\nIn the words of former President Theordore Roosevelt: "To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." \n\nAs a moderate conservative, I have no problem with liberals. I disagree with them and their political beliefs but welcome them in the political process and debate.
107286
Neither, the closest I can muster is libertarian (socialy liberal, fiscaly conservative).\n\nVote independant, the two party system has failed, stop the corruption.\n\nand to those who say liberals are more like comunists... both liberals and conservatives are closer to comunisim than libertarian. Lest we forget the deffinition of a comunist... a social conservative, fiscal liberal.\n\nIt seems to me most americans now-a-days meet this definition (comunism), and are afraid of freedom.
1169852
I always remember that "left" originally meant "sinister" - so it is the Religious Right and the Liberal Leftist.  Traditionally Right is conservative and Left is Liberal.\n\nConservatives (right) are traditionally thought of as cautious, uncomfortable with too much government and are financially and/or religiously motivated.\n\nversus\n\nLiberals (left - I wonder who decided on these names...) are traditionally thought of as folks who think the government should take care of all it's people and will pass tax bills to pay for it.  They are more religiously tolerant (as long as you keep your religion to yourself) and more likely to try new things.  \n\nLiberals are thought to vote with their heart and Conservatives with their wallets.  Republicans are often considered Conservatives, while Liberals are usually the Democrats.\n\nI am more what you would call a Centerist (I can see some things are correct on both sides of the debate) and a Libertarian (I really think government should get out of our lives - if I had my way, the only law would be "If you damage someone else (physically, financially) you will be punished.  Otherwise, do what you want.")  I usually vote Democrat / Liberal.
505583
A conservative liberal is someone who is mostly liberal but conservative on some issues. I know it seems ridiculous because it appears to be an oxymoron, but it is not. This alleged oxymoron is similar to the United States being a Democratic Republic. It is such because we use some elements of democracy (like voting-- in a true democracy EVERYONE votes on EVERY issue, rather than having a congress) but our government has also been influenced by the ways of a republic (having senators, etc., which is similar to the ways of Ancient Rome).\n\nFor example, I consider myself to be a conservative liberal as I am liberal on most social issues involving human rights, such as gay marriage because I believe that everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, deserves the right of marriage. However, I am conservative on issues like immigration because I believe that only people who intend to gain citizenship, pay taxes, learn to speak English, and have a stable job should be allowed to immigrate. I happen to feel this way because, although I value their addition culturally, we cannot finance the welfare for people who do not help fund the services they are receiving.
548138
If you used the dictionary definition of a liberal, most conservatives would want to be liberals, or would think they already are liberals:\n\n"marked by generosity and openhandedness, broad-minded, tolerant, bountiful, munificent" and so forth.  All except the part "lacking moral restraint, licentious" applies equally to conservatives.\n\nGood question, because I don't think a liberal defines himself the way a conservative defines a liberal.  And vice versa.
810077
we share similar but different views on politics and life. im just me. if you want to call me a liberal than whatever but i dont see myself belonging to any groups. mainly because i cant agree 100% with an individual group. my political ideas are intermingled. i would say though that i am more liberal than conservative. my parents are more conservative but have a few liberal ideas too. they are good people.