Changes

A '''liberal''' is a believer in many of the following political positions:

A '''liberal''' is a believer in many of the following political positions:

* Unpenalized or decriminalized [[abortion]]

* Tax and spend government

* Taxpayer-funded [[abortion]]

* [[Income redistribution]], usually through progressive taxation

* [[Income redistribution]], usually through progressive taxation

* Government-rationed and taxpayer-funded medical care

* Government-rationed and taxpayer-funded medical care

* Taxpayer-funded "free" [[public education]]

* Taxpayer-funded "free" [[public education]]

* The denial of inherent [[gender differences]] and wanting men and women to have the same jobs in the [[military]]

* The denial of inherent [[gender differences]] and wanting men and women to have the same jobs in the [[military]]

* [[Affirmative action]]

* [[Affirmative action]]

* [[Political correctness]]<ref>[http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/27429.html Politically Correct Terrorism] ''The Conservative Voice'', August 21, 2007</ref>

* [[Political correctness]]<ref>[http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/27429.html Politically Correct Terrorism] ''The Conservative Voice'', August 21, 2007</ref>

* [[Censorship]] of [[prayer]] in classrooms

* [[Censorship]] of [[prayer]] in classrooms and school sponsored events

* Labor [[union]]s

* Labor [[union]]s

* Elimination of [[abstinence]]-only program funding <ref> [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,286671,00.html Democrats Aim To Kill Abstinence-Only Program Funding], [[Fox News]], Monday, June 25, 2007</ref>

* Elimination of [[abstinence]]-only program funding <ref> [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,286671,00.html Democrats Aim To Kill Abstinence-Only Program Funding], [[Fox News]], Monday, June 25, 2007</ref>

* A "[[living Constitution]]" that is reinterpreted, thwarting the amendment process specified in the Constitution as written.

* A "[[living Constitution]]" that is reinterpreted, thwarting the amendment process specified in the Constitution as written.

* Support for [[gun ownership]]

* Support for [[gun control]]

* Government programs to [[rehabilitate criminals]]

* Government programs to [[rehabilitate criminals]]

* Abolition of death penalty

* Abolition of death penalty

* [[Disarmament treaties]]

* [[Disarmament treaties]]

* [[Globalism]]<ref>See also [[Republican in name only]]</ref>

* [[Globalism]]<ref>See also [[Republican in name only]]</ref>

* A strong 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>

* Opposition to a strong 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>

* Support of obscenity and pornography as a [[First Amendment]] right<ref>The [[Warren Court]], led by Justices [[William O. Douglas]], [[Hugo Black]], [[Abe Fortas]], [[William Brennan]] and Chief Justice [[Earl Warren]] issued 36 decisions granting [[First Amendment]] rights to obscenity and pornography.</ref>

* Support of obscenity and pornography as a [[First Amendment]] right<ref>The [[Warren Court]], led by [[liberal]] Justices [[William O. Douglas]], [[Hugo Black]], [[Abe Fortas]], [[William Brennan]] and Chief Justice [[Earl Warren]] issued 36 decisions granting [[First Amendment]] rights to obscenity and pornography.  These decisions remain fully supported by liberals today.</ref>

* Opposition to full private property rights<ref>For example, the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] issued the 5-4 [[Kelo v. City of New London]] decision authorizing the taking of private property by government in order to give the property to another private entity rather than convert it to a public use.</ref>

* Opposition to full private property rights<ref>For example, the liberal wing of the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] issued the 5-4 [[Kelo v. City of New London]] decision authorizing the taking of private property by government in order to give the property to another private entity rather than convert it to a public use.</ref>

* Limiting [[conservative]] talk radio by reinstating the [[Fairness Doctrine]]

* Limiting [[conservative]] talk radio by reinstating the [[Fairness Doctrine]]

* Promoting [[liberal deceit]] if it advances their goals, or at least tolerating it

* Promoting [[liberal deceit]] if it advances their goals, or at least tolerating it

==Original meaning: Classical Liberalism==

==Original meaning: Classical Liberalism==

Liberalism is a political philosophy with freedom as its core value. The term was originally applied to supporters of individual liberties and equal rights, but, in America, the term has come to represent a movement of social change that often conflicts with [[conservative]] values such as isolationism and fear of change.

Liberalism is a political philosophy with freedom as its core value. The term was originally applied to supporters of individual liberties and equal rights, but, in America, the term has come to represent a movement of social change that often conflicts with [[conservative]] values such as moral values and tradition.

See [[Classical Liberal|Classical Liberalism]]. Compare [[Libertarianism]].

See [[Classical Liberal|Classical Liberalism]]. Compare [[Libertarianism]].

==Alternative meanings of 'liberal'==

==Alternative meanings of 'liberal'==

One inadequate 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>   

* Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas ...

* Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas ...