What is the true definition of the word liberal?

someone tell me since all i hear is a bunch of BS concerning them and not one thing said is remotely true.








speak up conservatives and do me a favor and give me the true definition of conservatism while your at it without cutting and pasting your answer.What is the true definition of the word liberal?
Here learn the philosophy then you'll better understand





Freedom...


...of conscience


You have the right to think as you wish.


...of religion


You have the right to worship as you please. The government has no business either supporting or opposing religion in general or any specific religion.


...of speech


You have the right to express your views, whatever they may be. Only in the free marketplace of ideas can truth emerge.





Civil rights


All people are equal under the law. Any type of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or gender is not only inconsistent with a free and civil society, but is immoral as well.





Universal public education


Equality of opportunity requires all Americans to have access to a basic education consistent with maintaining informed citizenship and the ability to participate fully in society.





Tolerance of Differences


Because we are all unique beings, with different skills, needs, and wants, we must respect the life choices of others as long as their life choices do not infringe on the rights enjoyed by other citizens.





A Social Safety Net


Recognizing that circumstances beyond mortal control play a part in all our lives, a basic social safety net shall be avaliable to all who need it, not as a permanent lifestyle, but rather as a helping hand to get back on one's feet.





Employees' Rights


We spend most of our lives working. Work is the foundation of our economy and a major part of the glue holding together communities. The employee is an equal business partner with the employer, and as such, has the right to collectively bargain for terms of employment.





Environmental Protection


Contrary to some people's opinions, it is possible to both protect the environment and sustain economic growth. We support taking all reasonable and responsible steps to protect the environment and the species contained therein.





Strong Families


The family is the primary social unit in America. It must be respected, and encouraged in all its forms. Government should make policy with this in mind.





Responsibility


With rights come responsibilities. Exercising our rights means taking responsibility for our actions, and their effects on others.





Free Enterprise


The capitalist economic system is the most efficient solution to providing for peoples' wants and needs. Government's role is that of a regulator, not a controller of industry, and any regulation must only be for the good of society as a whole, and not for the benefit of any one entity.





Rule of Law


Law is the framework in which society operates. There can be no society without justice. Justice means that those who commit crimes must be made to answer for them, and that the criminal code is fair and wisely constructed. When criminal actions go unpunished, respect for the law weakens. The law applies to all, including all agents of the government.





...most importantly, Progress


Progress is what Liberalism really means; moral progress, economic progress, and social progress to benefit all humanity. This represents the path towards a better world. At its heart, Liberalism is an optimistic philosophy.What is the true definition of the word liberal?
If by a ';Liberal'; they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people 鈥?their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties 鈥?someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a ';Liberal,'; then I'm proud to say I'm a ';Liberal.';





(John F. Kennedy)








EDIT:


The guy above,


';Classical liberalism has much more in common with modern conservatism.';





- I'll just keep it short. NO! they didn't have anything to do with conservatism and Classical liberalism doesn't equal conservative, the clue is the word 'Liberal'.
The meaning of the world liberal has changed so much that it really depends on who's using it that matters. That same with conservative. Just because you say your a liberal doesnt make you a liberal. Just because you say your conservative, doesnt make you conservative. President Bush claims he's conservative, yet under his administration, spending has gone up 135%, that doesn't seem very conservative to me.





So, instead of trying to define a person by a label or words, you should define them through the actions they take.
Classical liberalism, the political philosophy of the Founders, is based on God-given rights, individual liberty, and government by the consent of the governed.





Modern liberalism is more of a statist philosophy.





Classical liberalism has much more in common with modern conservatism.
it does not mean frugal, thrifty or conservative.





and conservative does not mean impulsive invasion of other nations nor a $9.5 trillion national debt with a plummeting dollar and soaring inflation.





these two terms are misused almost as much as the word racism on this forum.