For their time, yes the Founders were liberal. The ideas of government controlled by the public was and is still very liberal in today's world. Ironically, conservatism wants to protect the precepts our nation was founded on and liberalism want to destroy them.
In and article in Atlantic in 1953 the socialist Mayor of Phildelphia wrote
To lay a ghost at the outset and to dismiss semantica, a liberal is here defined as one who believes in utilizing the full force of the government for the advancement of social, political and economic justice at the municipal, state, national, and international levels
Why there were no true liberals to dispute the definition is a mystery. George Washington was a liberal. Thomas Jefferson was a liberal. James Madison was a liberal. The Constitution was written by liberals.
Hillary Clinton's defintion of liberal was correct. But, I do not believe she is a progressive either. Hillary Clinton and John Edwards are and have always been socialists. They are trying to change labels again.
The Democratic Party will persist until the Republican and the media (don't count on the media) start calling them what they are. That's the point of my message.
Classical, where Libertarianism finds its root and Neo-Liberals (who feel values and traditions have no inherent value). Neo-Libs and Neo-Cons both share the same disdain for the constitution.
So ironically (only in the confusing rheotoric)..Classical Liberals are, by today's standards as measured by associating great value to the Constitution are Conservative (or even paleo-conservative).
Conservatives agree with Justice Black that the Constitution isn't a suicide pact. Liberals completely disagree arguing that the Constitution is the whole purpose of the exercise and should be defended to the last man.
Sorry, not familiar with the language of agreeing that Constitution isn't a suicide pact, and how it might be (I am having difficulties envisioning the Constitution as a suicide pact).
I am absolutely NOT "soft on Constitution". When I enlisted in the US Navy under Ronald Reagan, I swore an oath to defend that Constitution against ALL enemies foreign AND domestic. I still stand by that oath. George Bush and Hillary Clinton are domestic threats to that Constitution.
Conservatives believe religion should be the basis for politics. Liberals believe religion has no business in the public arena. Conservatives believe individual rights should be sacrificed for the security of the majority. Liberals beleive that individual rights should be surrendered only sparingly. George Bush isn't a conservative. He's a fascist.
Unlike you, I am not Theophobic. Whether you like it or not, the US Constitution is a Christian one. And that is precisely why it implements a separation of Church and State.
Conservatives would only surrender individual rights over their dead bodies.
Liberals are surrendering individual rights every day. Because It is not about the individual, it is about the group. Their worse nightmare: LIMITED GOVERNMENT.
What exactly are conservatives conserving?
Conservatives believe in socialism for big corporations and trust fund babies and capitalism for everyone else.
AtlasShruggery 2 years ago
For their time, yes the Founders were liberal. The ideas of government controlled by the public was and is still very liberal in today's world. Ironically, conservatism wants to protect the precepts our nation was founded on and liberalism want to destroy them.
Teikiatsu 4 years ago
a very good question , yet I wonder if they will bring you in the air.
libertarian conservativism , yeah.
works for smart people , not works for dummies , no affirmative action and welfare :P
LongShlong125 4 years ago
Ron Paul has a paper sign in his office that says:
-DON'T STEAL!, THE GOVERNMENT HATES COMPETITION-
That might give you a hint on Libertarian Conservatism.
USA!, USA!, USA!
RP2008
jaralero 4 years ago
plains5728,
1. You don't understand Conservatives.
2. The point is Hillary's definition of Liberal. UnderseaCaveman has explained it pretty well.
Hillary chose the European definition of Liberal (Conservative). In Europe, neoliberal means neocon.
In the Anglo-American tradition, Liberal means the opposite: changing society through Government.
She is basically dancing around, because in America Progressive means Liberal. Ron Paul is a Libertarian Conservative.
jaralero 4 years ago
Liberal from the Latin liber meaning free.
In and article in Atlantic in 1953 the socialist Mayor of Phildelphia wrote
To lay a ghost at the outset and to dismiss semantica, a liberal is here defined as one who believes in utilizing the full force of the government for the advancement of social, political and economic justice at the municipal, state, national, and international levels
plains5728 4 years ago
Why there were no true liberals to dispute the definition is a mystery. George Washington was a liberal. Thomas Jefferson was a liberal. James Madison was a liberal. The Constitution was written by liberals.
plains5728 4 years ago
Hillary Clinton's defintion of liberal was correct. But, I do not believe she is a progressive either. Hillary Clinton and John Edwards are and have always been socialists. They are trying to change labels again.
The Democratic Party will persist until the Republican and the media (don't count on the media) start calling them what they are. That's the point of my message.
plains5728 4 years ago
Hilary is a total NEO-lib..... and why use her definition, she is by no means a scholarly authority.
I might as well go to a Zoo and ask a chimp!
UnderseaCaveman 4 years ago
Liberals breakup into two camps,
Classical, where Libertarianism finds its root and Neo-Liberals (who feel values and traditions have no inherent value). Neo-Libs and Neo-Cons both share the same disdain for the constitution.
So ironically (only in the confusing rheotoric)..Classical Liberals are, by today's standards as measured by associating great value to the Constitution are Conservative (or even paleo-conservative).
UnderseaCaveman 4 years ago
Conservatives agree with Justice Black that the Constitution isn't a suicide pact. Liberals completely disagree arguing that the Constitution is the whole purpose of the exercise and should be defended to the last man.
plains5728 4 years ago
Sorry, not familiar with the language of agreeing that Constitution isn't a suicide pact, and how it might be (I am having difficulties envisioning the Constitution as a suicide pact).
UnderseaCaveman 4 years ago
All Government workers, military to justice, take an oath to defend the constitution....
When you say "conservatives agree" you must be talking about NEOCONS....not true conservatives by today's standards.
UnderseaCaveman 4 years ago
Justice Black wasn't a neocon when he said the Constitution wasn't a suicide pact.
plains5728 4 years ago
Literally, it is not a suicide pact, it's the Constitution...so what's the point?
I think most Americans throughout American history have turned to the Constitution... I think you are generalizing!
Enough on Topic, I understand where you stand, "Soft on Constitution, little value"
UnderseaCaveman 4 years ago
I am absolutely NOT "soft on Constitution". When I enlisted in the US Navy under Ronald Reagan, I swore an oath to defend that Constitution against ALL enemies foreign AND domestic. I still stand by that oath. George Bush and Hillary Clinton are domestic threats to that Constitution.
plains5728 4 years ago
So then what's your point!
You sure were sounding Liberal with respect to Constitution....what, ya' just wake up?
UnderseaCaveman 4 years ago
hmm.. this question is just going to cause trouble.. probably
batmanthe 4 years ago
Using Hillary's definition; a Liberal is a Conservative.
jaralero 4 years ago
Conservatives believe religion should be the basis for politics. Liberals believe religion has no business in the public arena. Conservatives believe individual rights should be sacrificed for the security of the majority. Liberals beleive that individual rights should be surrendered only sparingly. George Bush isn't a conservative. He's a fascist.
plains5728 4 years ago
I am a Conservative, and an atheist.
Unlike you, I am not Theophobic. Whether you like it or not, the US Constitution is a Christian one. And that is precisely why it implements a separation of Church and State.
Conservatives would only surrender individual rights over their dead bodies.
Liberals are surrendering individual rights every day. Because It is not about the individual, it is about the group. Their worse nightmare: LIMITED GOVERNMENT.
jaralero 4 years ago
If conservatives are so concerned about individual rights then why do they constantly trample the fourth, fifth and sixth amendments?
plains5728 4 years ago
Good question
HandsOnVermont 4 years ago