As with my last diary, on Progressivism, this is less of a diary and more of an open question and discussion.
[Please, no links to other pages with someone's definition of Liberalism other than your own. I can Google the word just fine. What I'm after here is a community definition, if that's even possible.]
In my last diary asking what the hell a Progressive was, I noticed quite a few of the comments focused on its comparison with Liberalism. So I figured that it might be interesting to ask the same question of it. Keep in mind, we are talking about Modern American Liberalism here, not so much about Classical Liberalism.
So what is it? What do you think of when you hear the word "liberal"? Are Liberals united or divided and on what grounds? How are Liberals related to Progressives? Some suggested in the other diary that Progressives are simply another name for Liberals (which, like Voldemort, is not a name to be spoken). Others said that Liberalism was more on the side of the status quo than Progressivism. Do you agree with these? Something I wish I would have asked in the last diary: Are Liberals defined by their methods, ideals, or goals?
What do you think?
[A note on the Poll:
There is no "all of the above" option for a few reasons. 1. A number one goal can only be one thing. 2. The poll is after the highest priority of Liberals as this says something about the direction of the group. 3. Its about introspection! Give a little bit of thought as to what you would give the most energy to fight for as a Liberal or what you think a Liberal would fight for.]