Changes

'''''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."<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."<ref>Etymology [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=liberal]</ref>

The term ''liberal'' is used in the United States to generally characterize the following set of beliefs:

The term ''liberal'' is used in the United States generally to characterize the following set of beliefs, although these may vary from person to person:

* In favor of [[gun control]]

* in favor of [[gun control]]

* Supports a woman's [[right to choose]] pregnancy termination, i.e. [[abortion]]

* supporting a woman's [[right to choose]] pregnancy termination, i.e. [[abortion]]

* prohibiting organized prayer in school

* promoting secularism and the prohibition of organized prayer in school

* equal responsibilities for men and women, such as equal participation by men and women in the military

* equal responsibilities for men and women, such as equal participation by men and women in the military

* government programs to rehabilitate criminals

* government programs to rehabilitate criminals

* increased power for labor unions

* increased power for labor unions

* [[disarmament treaties]]

* [[disarmament treaties]]

* Classical liberalism stood for a limited government role [http://www.economyprofessor.com/economictheories/economic-liberalism.php]

* classical liberalism stood for a limited government role [http://www.economyprofessor.com/economictheories/economic-liberalism.php]

* Private property and individual contracts form the basis of Classical liberal economic theory  

* private property and individual contracts form the basis of Classical liberal economic theory  

* reduction of military expenses

* reduction of military expenses

* support of [[affirmative action]]

* support of [[affirmative action]]

* government-sponsored education  

* government-sponsored education  

* preference for a interpretation of the constitution as a "[[living Constitution]]" instead of an unchanging Constitution

* preference for a interpretation of the constitution as a "[[living Constitution]]" instead of an unchanging Constitution

*[[Income redistribution]], with higher progressive taxation on those in the top 10% of earnings.

*[[income redistribution]], with higher progressive taxation on those in the top 10% of earnings.

* Opposition to American foreign policy <ref>Stefaan Walgrave and Joris Verhulst, [http://nicomedia.math.upatras.gr/conf/CAWM2003/Papers/Verhulst.pdf The February 15 Worldwide Protests against a War in Iraq: An Empirical Test of Transnational Opportunities. Outline of a Research Programme](PDF). </ref> which advocates human rights <ref>[http://www.forward.com/articles/4039 "The 'Answer' Question Poses Difficult Choices for Liberals"] by Gal Beckerman, ''The Forward'', September 30, 2005.

* opposition to current American foreign policy <ref>Stefaan Walgrave and Joris Verhulst, [http://nicomedia.math.upatras.gr/conf/CAWM2003/Papers/Verhulst.pdf The February 15 Worldwide Protests against a War in Iraq: An Empirical Test of Transnational Opportunities. Outline of a Research Programme](PDF). </ref> which advocates human rights <ref>[http://www.forward.com/articles/4039 "The 'Answer' Question Poses Difficult Choices for Liberals"] by Gal Beckerman, ''The Forward'', September 30, 2005.

</ref> democracy <ref>[http://www.un.int/usa/02_131.htm President Bush's address to the United Nations], United States Mission to the United Nations, Press Release #131(02), 12 September 2002.</ref>

</ref> democracy <ref>[http://www.un.int/usa/02_131.htm President Bush's address to the United Nations], United States Mission to the United Nations, Press Release #131(02), 12 September 2002.</ref>