Definition of Liberalism

[earl]

Originally Posted by Nick_A

Their is no greater exercise in futility IMO than the contemplations of a politically liberal Buddhist

I'm guessing she's a politically conservative Buddhist-Christian-I'm the politically liberal Buddhist-Christian. Now, there, she how helpful labels & grand assumptions are. earl

[Nick_A]

Originally Posted by earl

I'm guessing she's a politically conservative Buddhist-Christian-I'm the politically liberal Buddhist-Christian. Now, there, she how helpful labels & grand assumptions are. earl

When I wrote that I wasn't referring to anyone in particular but just the comparison of the liberal secular mindset with a teaching that has a conscious origin

[wil]

Dictionary: liberalism n.

1. The state or quality of being liberal.
2. 1. A political theory founded on the natural goodness of humans and the autonomy of the individual and favoring civil and political liberties, government by law with the consent of the governed, and protection from arbitrary authority.
   2. often Liberalism The tenets or policies of a Liberal party.
3. An economic theory in favor of laissez-faire, the free market, and the gold standard.
4. Liberalism
   1. A 19th-century Protestant movement that favored free intellectual inquiry, stressed the ethical and humanitarian content of Christianity, and de-emphasized dogmatic theology.
   2. A 19th-century Roman Catholic movement that favored political democracy and ecclesiastical reform but was theologically orthodox.

Exactly which of these fits the democratic party of the United States?? Free market, laissez-faire, gold standard?? That is conservativism is it not? Liberalism is more regulation, world bank, federal reserve, controlled markets.

Call me confused.

Civil and political liberties? gov't health care, gov't schooling, social security, helmet laws, welfare, none of these indicate that the individual is autonomous, but wards of the state, lemmings needing guidance from above as they cannot save money or be productive members of society without assistance.

[earl]

Originally Posted by wil

Exactly which of these fits the democratic party of the United States?? Free market, laissez-faire, gold standard?? That is conservativism is it not? Liberalism is more regulation, world bank, federal reserve, controlled markets.

Call me confused.

Civil and political liberties? gov't health care, gov't schooling, social security, helmet laws, welfare, none of these indicate that the individual is autonomous, but wards of the state, lemmings needing guidance from above as they cannot save money or be productive members of society without assistance.

Labels mess with a mind don't they? earl

[Nick_A]

Originally Posted by wil

Exactly which of these fits the democratic party of the United States?? Free market, laissez-faire, gold standard?? That is conservativism is it not? Liberalism is more regulation, world bank, federal reserve, controlled markets.

Call me confused.

Civil and political liberties? gov't health care, gov't schooling, social security, helmet laws, welfare, none of these indicate that the individual is autonomous, but wards of the state, lemmings needing guidance from above as they cannot save money or be productive members of society without assistance.

We learn that "good intentions" must be enfoced so "experts" come along and enforce them.. It is for your own good. Stop thinking in this contrary way. You need another dose of group participation in the Obama choir. Just keep singing "Obama brings happiness, Obama brings freeedom." It will be all be enforced for your own good. Those obstructing the common pood will be eliminated so we, the good people, all gain.

[seattlegal]

Originally Posted by Nick_A

Their is no greater exercise in futility IMO than the contemplations of a politically liberal Buddhist

I'm a politically libertarian leaning Christian, and have often been called a right-wing extremist in my debates with angry members of the left wing.

I'm an American conservative in that I like to stick to the Constitution and the principles of American government that this nation was founded upon.

[wil]

Originally Posted by seattlegal

I'm a politically libertarian leaning Christian, and have often been called a right-wing extremist in my debates with angry members of the left wing.

more of the dichotomy....my liberal leftist aquaintances believe me to be a right wing wacko and my right wing wacko aquaintances believe me to be a liberal leftist.

The joys of being independent and leaning libertarian is that you can see that the negatives of both parties positions outweigh the positives, things the most in both parties can see but won't admit, and the extremes can't even see or respond to, they simply change the subject...or when caught with their pants down point to somone on the other side that did something similar as if that makes it alright.

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by earl

I think the philosophy that best fits that classic definition of liberalism is libertarianism

Easy to see how confusion arises.

s.

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by Nick_A

a teaching that has a conscious origin

...as opposed to a teaching that has a what origin?

s.

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by earl

Labels mess with a mind don't they? earl

Totally.

s.

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by wil

more of the dichotomy....my liberal leftist aquaintances believe me to be a right wing wacko and my right wing wacko aquaintances believe me to be a liberal leftist.

The joys of being independent and leaning libertarian is that you can see that the negatives of both parties positions outweigh the positives, things the most in both parties can see but won't admit, and the extremes can't even see or respond to, they simply change the subject...or when caught with their pants down point to somone on the other side that did something similar as if that makes it alright.

...shows that how others look to each of us depends on where we're standing relative to them.

There is also a group culture thing as well of course...

Outside of the US, the US Presidency looks like a choice between the right and the er, right...which in terms of choice is, er...

And yet within America, I've seen Obama described as liberal, left and even (I still don't quite believe I read this) extremist ; which to us over here in Blighty is, well, rather comical

s.

[Paladin]

Originally Posted by Snoopy

...shows that how others look to each of us depends on where we're standing relative to them.

There is also a group culture thing as well of course...

Outside of the US, the US Presidency looks like a choice between the right and the er, right...which in terms of choice is, er...

And yet within America, I've seen Obama described as liberal, left and even (I still don't quite believe I read this) extremist ; which to us over here in Blighty is, well, rather comical

s.

I voted today, and coming out of the polling place amidst the people and traffic I spotted a leaf that had just begun to fall from it's tree. It floated, taking it's own time, spiraling down in the crisp air until it alighted upon the ground amidst all the others making a tiny whispering sound as it landed.
For just that moment, nothing else mattered.

[earl]

Paladin- great to see you back here. It's a glorious early fall day here too & I voted. First time I believe in at least 8 years. Earl