Definition:
[n]  a person who favors a political philosophy of progress and reform and the protection of civil liberties
[n]  a person who favors an economic theory of laissez-faire and self-regulating markets
[adj]  tolerant of change; not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or tradition
[adj]  showing or characterized by broad-mindedness; "a broad political stance"; "generous and broad sympathies"; "a liberal newspaper"; "tolerant of his opponent's opinions"
[adj]  not literal; "a loose interpretation of what she had been told"; "a free translation of the poem"
[adj]  given or giving freely; "was a big tipper"; "the bounteous goodness of God"; "bountiful compliments"; "a freehanded host"; "a handsome allowance"; "Saturday's child is loving and giving"; "a liberal backer of the arts"; "a munificent gift"; "her fond and openhanded grandfather"
[adj]  having political or social views favoring reform and progress

Why anyone would choose not to be defined as the above is beyond me. Why liberal has become a bad word is some parts of this country is also beyond me. Today while I was getting gas and guy pulled in behind me, he was nicely dressed and had a cross pin on his tie. Because it is sunday I'm assuming he was either coming or going to church. He smiled at me and nodded his head.

Then after he'd started pumping gas he looked over toward me and noticed the Kerry-Edwards bumpersticker. He leaned down and proceeded to tell the woman in the car with him that a "f..ing liberal" was ahead of them and could she believe the gall of someone to not support this country during a war." Thankfully I was done pumping and just left. I really don't want to confront people, especially when they make such a negative conclusion about me based solely on a bumpersticker supporting the democratic candidate for president.

I do wonder though what is so terrible about being labeled tolerant, and being for the protection of civil liberties.