Back to Basics: What is 'Liberal' and what is 'Conservative'??

[renie408]

Ok...so from what I have learned this morning, the DLC is trying to win the Democratic Party back from the liberals. Only I thought the Democratic party WAS liberal. Leaving me wondering how liberal is too liberal or even what liberal really is. I have always been under the impression that to be a liberal is a good thing.

So what is WAY left and what is just sort-of left?

[ironman202]

1. Bierce's definition

Conservative, n: one who wishes to preserve existing evils, as opposed to a liberal, who wishes to replace them with others.

[Sick_of_Rethuggery]

2. The m-w.com definition of liberal works for me...

Main Entry: 2liberal
Function: noun
: 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

[AuntPatsy]

3. I would assume if you nailed yourself to a tree your considered too

far left and if you nail yourself too an abortion clinic's front door, you would be considered to far right...

[TahitiNut]

4. In a democratic context ...

... "liberal" means protecting the rights and liberties of minorities (esp. the minority of the individual) against the populism (i.e. "mob rule") of the public. The Bill of Rights is emblematic of "liberalism" in the U.S., precluding federal infringements of rights and liberties against even a unanimous Congress.

Conversely, "conservatism" in a democracy is about preserving privileges and enforcing entitlements (perquisites granted by law and enforced by government), particularly for propertied interests.

As my uncle (a "New Deal" Democrat) put it: liberalism is about people while conservatism is about property.

Nowhere is this seen more starkly, I believe, than in arguments about a "right to privacy." Conservatives would infer that one's "right to be secure" in one's home is attached to the home, not the person. They clearly assume that such security is legitimate only when one is able to pay for it. Personally, I don't believe a person within their home should have any "right" above and beyond that of a homeless person. Unless and until we're every bit as diligent (or more) in protecting the rights of the homeless against infringements, we're not being just in protecting the rights of the wealthy.

[iconoclastic cat]

5. My wife's comment:

"A conservative is solely concerned with himself or herself and people who agree with his or her opinions. Everyone and everything that deviates is a threat."

Edited to add: Repeat after me: "The DLC is the Democratic wing of the Neocon party."