Serious Question

[Angry Dragon]

Wherever I go I hear words tossed about how this person is a liberal, this person is a right-winger, this person is a progressive, and on and on. I question if most really know what these labels mean. Me being one of those people. I need your help in putting these labels into context. What is the difference between a liberal and a progressive?? What is the difference between a liberal and a centrist??

The reason I am asking this is because if I am going to be put in a box I want to make sure I get in the right box. Won't want to have neighbors that I did not fit in with.

[NYC_SKP]

1. Personally, I don't try not to use the labels, and don't expect any two people to share definitions.

And the mere discussion of it can become a heated and pointless argument.

We are far too complex to be labeled and I think labels are used more often to alienate others than for any constructive purpose.

But others may have different opinions.

:shrug:

[lamp_shade]

6. A number of "test" sites will ask you questions and then determine your position for you. In one,

I'm considered progressive; in another I'm slightly left of center; in still another I'm far-far-left leaning; and on and on. I don't know what I am anymore. If it's there (rarely) I just check the Democrat box.

[muffin1]

9. !

:rofl:

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

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[Uben]

3. I can't give you a label......

...mainly because I think few people fit in just one category. Myself, I lean towards fiscally conservative and socially liberal. Is there a category for that? I've voted for democrats in every election since I turned eighteen, thirty seven yrs ago! Sometimes I agree with the liberal side of the party and sometimes with those closer towards the middle. No one's always right....or wrong.
So, I tend to go with what I deem as reasonable, fair, and in favor of the little guy.

[Chulanowa]

4. I hear "Fiscal conservative" a lot

I'm starting to think that it's just one of those "Aren't I smart, look at me!" things people say. Because as far as i can tell, a "fiscal conservative" wants to slash government spending down to be, as quoted by Grover Norquist, "small enough to be drowned in a bathtub." The victims of all this cutting are always the "socially liberal" or "intellectual" programs. Further, it often comes packaged with attacks on the working class itself; union-busting and increased freedom for "corporate persons" who very directly cause harm to the independent marketplace. So calling oneself a "fiscal conservative" at the same time you are "socially liberal" strikes me as a very confusing dichotomy.

Could just be that you're a meme victim; the freaks on the right have been hammering that "fiscal conservative" is a synonym for "fiscally responsible" for three decades now. After hearing it forever and ever, on every news show an from every politician, it might have sunk in and taken root.

[Uben]

7. Everyone has an opinion.....

... and mine is always the best...according to me!

With this country heavily indebted, we should be doing everything we can to reduce spending. Who do you think pays for all that shit? We do! I have already given up on congress ever doing anything to help me, I just want the bastards to quit spending our grandkids money! Either they find a way to pay for legislation or vote it down. I wished it worked that way...it doesn't.
That's the conservative side of me talking.
By the same token, we've seen thirty years of legislation benefitting the wealthy. Why? Because they have the money to bribe congressmen. The little guy doesn't lobby congress, he suffers their wrath! Now, while the rich spend their money buying influence, we spend ours trying to stay alive. It's come down to that, and it is pitiful. And you can't just pin it on republicans. The democrats have been complicit as well. Term limits, term limits, term limits.

[leftstreet]

5. When the Republicans have the majority, Democrats are just Democrats

When the Democrats have the majority, Democrats are either 'moderates,' 'centrists,' 'liberals,' 'progressives,' or 'far left loons.'

[lunatica]

8. In the end you decide what you are because

people can be liberal in some things and conservative in others.

[TheKentuckian]

10. The few I'm pretty sure on is 'centrist' means corporatist and 'pragmatist' means amoral

I'm also fairly certain that 'moderate' has little to nothing to do with 'centrist'.

Fiscal conservative and social liberal/moderate means you love Reagan but want to smoke weed, have the option on an abortion, are GLBT or friendly, not religious, and/or not racist.
Rainbow Reaganites I call 'em and the difference between liberal and moderate is how far they can stomach people doing what they like with their own person and other consenting adults.

[Angry Dragon]

11. I was hoping for a little more concrete answers

I do understand that labels offer little in explaining a person, but at the same time we do little to stop them from being thrown around.

I am just asking for some help in understanding the right when they use labels of progressive, liberal, and such.