The term “Liberal” so often meant to be derogatory by right-wingers, makes me wonder if the users have even bothered to look up the word “liberal” in a dictionary, where they would find characteristics like “generous, favoring individual liberty and social and political reform … open-minded, not prejudiced, strict or rigorous .. favoring broadening of the mind, regarding many traditional beliefs as dispensable, invalidated by modern thought, or liable to change”, – characteristics apparently not favored among the conservatives, or non-liberals, if you prefer.
Do these people even know any so-called “liberals”, – or would such more enlightened individuals tend to shy away from their conservative circles?
I have a vast circle of liberal, progressive, democratic and independent friends and acquaintances, in addition to many on the more conservative side, – none of which would even dream of voting for Trump, who is widely considered an incompetent, unqualified, self-centered egomaniac and a threat to our own well-fare, security and world peace. The “liberals” I know are all very well educated, intelligent and informed, generous with others less fortunate, willing to pay higher taxes than most in order to make for a more even and fair society. And, yes, that also includes at least one in the top 0.1% of income earners, – yet wouldn’t dream of voting for Trump in the hope of reducing his 50+% tax burden. Liberals believe in science and the need to protect the Earth and the environment, and as a group they are far less superstitious. i.e. religious, than Republicans.
I don’t see any sign of the often alleged “low self-esteem and self-delusion” among my somewhat “liberal” friends, so I wonder what kind of people the more conservative crowd is so obsessed with. Those I know are decent, law-abiding working people, most of them home owners, many entrepreneurs and business executives, educators and professionals, – all striving both for their own families and to make for a better and more just society, – without being obsessed with personal gain.
My “liberal” acquaintances are a diversified flock, spanning a wide range of social positions; however, with at least something in common: they are all well behaved, but deeply embarrassed that we have a sexual predator like Donald Trump in the WH, a habitual liar and a laughing stock around the world, reflecting badly on the gullible that voted for him, and a society that let it happen.
