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Line 1: − + − + − + − * progressive tax stucture with higher taxes for wealthier individuals − + − + − + − + − + − *pressuring government to support human rights through policy change.<ref>+ − www.globalpolicy.org/intljustice/icc/2005/0202shieldkillers.htm − www.genocidewatch.org/SudanLIBERALISMANDDARFURNov05.htm − savedarfur.org/page/community/group/IndianapolisCoalitiontoSaveDarfur − − After opposition to the regime change of Saddam Hussein in 2003, it became increasingly difficult to define what American liberals core beliefs are. Large scale demonstrations coupled with the rhetoric current at the time was decisively pro-Saddam and in sympathy with insuring survival of the fascist Ba'athist regime in Iraq. It also signified a rejection of liberalism's long held fundamental advocacy of democracy and human rights worldwide.
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'''Liberal''' is a term used in US politics to describe a person who generally is left-wing in his attitudes towards the government, establishment, and many other laws. The term was first used in reference to a political opinion c. 1801 A.D., in the aftermath of the French Revolution, when it meant "tending in favor of freedom and democracy" — at that time the liberal party was the party of individual political freedoms.<ref>Etymology [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=liberal]</ref>
'''''Liberal''' is a term used in US politics to describe a person who generally is left-wing in his attitudes towards the government, establishment, and many other laws. The term was first used in reference to a political opinion c. 1801 A.D., in the aftermath of the French Revolution, when it meant "tending in favor of freedom and democracy" — at that time the liberal party was the party of individual political freedoms.<ref>Etymology [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=liberal]</ref>
The term ''liberal'' is used in the United States to characterize the following set of beliefs:
The term ''liberal'' is used in the United States to characterize the following set of beliefs:
* support of gun control
* support of gun control
* taxpayer funding of abortion
* Supports a woman's right to choose if she wants an abortion
* prohibiting organized prayer in school
* prohibiting prayer in school over the loud speaker(or teacher lead prayer)
* equal rights for men and women, including participation by men and women in the military
* equal rights for men and women, including participation by men and women in the military
* government programs to rehabilitate criminals
* government programs to rehabilitate criminals
* same-sex marriage
* same-sex marriage
* amnesty for illegal aliens
* amnesty for illegal aliens
* teaching of evolution
* teaching of evolution
* increased taxpayer funding of public schools
* increased taxpayer funding of public school
* protection of natural resources
* protection of all of God's creation even if advocated by atheists
* taxpayer-funded rather than private medical care
* taxpayer-funded rather than private medical care
* increased power for labor unions
* increased power for labor unions
* disarmament treaties
* disarmament treaties
* increased taxes
* wants a limited government role </ref>[http://www.economyprofessor.com/economictheories/economic-liberalism.php]</ref>
* support of government programs such as welfare
* Private property and individual contracts form the basis of liberal economic theory </ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_theory_of_economics]</ref>
* reduction of military expenses
* reduction of military expenses
* support of affirmative action
* support of affirmative action
* government-sponsored education about human reproduction
* government-sponsored education
* opposition to American foreign policy which advocates human rights <ref>[http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0118-03.htm ''Looming War Isn't About Chemical Warheads or Human Rights: It's About Oil''], Robert Fisk, Independent/UK, 18 January 2003. </ref> and democracy <ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/iraq/iraq_strategy_nov2005.html National Strategy for Victory in Iraq], November 30, 2005. retrieved 22 March 2007.</ref>
* opposition to American foreign policy which advocates human rights <ref>[http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0118-03.htm ''Looming War Isn't About Chemical Warheads or Human Rights: It's About Oil''], Robert Fisk, Independent/UK, 18 January 2003. </ref> and democracy <ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/iraq/iraq_strategy_nov2005.html National Strategy for Victory in Iraq], November 30, 2005. retrieved 22 March 2007.</ref>
Liberals in the US typically align themselves with the [[Democratic Party]]. Note, that ''liberal'' in the European context refers to the so-called moderate and center-right parties, often with a pro-business stance.<ref>http://www.alde.eu</ref> The same holds for many ''liberal'' parties throughout the world.<ref>http://www.liberal-international.org/</ref>. The US definition of liberal is much more similar to the politics of European [[socialist|socialist or social democratic]] parties.<ref>http://www.pes.org</ref>.
Liberals in the US typically align themselves with the [[Democratic Party]]. Note, that ''liberal'' in the European context refers to the so-called moderate and center-right parties, often with a pro-business stance.<ref>http://www.alde.eu</ref> The same holds for many ''liberal'' parties throughout the world.<ref>http://www.liberal-international.org/</ref>. The US definition of liberal is much more similar to the politics of European [[socialist|socialist or social democratic]] parties.<ref>http://www.pes.org</ref>.
One definition of liberal is anything that is not conservative. For example, the American Heritage Dictionary includes this definition of "liberal":<ref>Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/liberal</ref>
One definition of liberal is anything that is not conservative. For example, the American Heritage Dictionary includes this definition of "liberal":<ref>Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/liberal</ref>