[quote][quote] I disapprove of what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it.[/quote] - Voltaire It is very strange how modern day ‘liberals’ differ so much from the classical liberals. Classical liberals were characterized by supporting freedom of expression, especially freedom of speech. Now, many modern day ‘liberals’ have began to label things as ‘hate speech’, and think that legal action is justified for saying somewhat distasteful phrases or words. On top of that, classical liberals were characterized by a disapproval of large government. Modern day liberals seem to be rather zealous about having a large government (at least when compared to modern day conservatives). Lastly, classic liberals where much less keen on welfare, and other social programs. This is seen in Adam Smith’s criticisms of welfare, and the Poor Law Amendment Act Of 1834. Modern day liberals, as we all know, are rather keen on the idea of welfare and social programs. So, why don’t modern day liberals act like the liberals of the past? It seems (to me, at least) that classical liberalism is more appealing in almost every venue.[/quote] Modern day liberals are post-modernists. They’re more impulsive. They prioritize short term over the long term. They prioritize feeling over logic and reason and rationality. They make identity their religion. That is why they are so tribal about their beliefs. This is the jist of the majority of the Left and a minority on the right.

Isn’t our POTUS the one looking for harsher libel laws, a stronger federal government presence when monitoring marijuana, and corporate welfare? Lol

Because their parents didn’t discipline them. It’s a generational gap between millennial generation and x generation. Especially California. Where parents decided handing out a good spanking was bad and thought that by sticking up for their kids against teachers and authority figures was helping them but made it worse. Now that’s where respect flies out the window.

[quote]I disapprove of what you say, but will defend to the death my right to call you autistic[/quote] how it should b

Neoliberalism < Classical Liberalism < Political Libertarianism < Literal Anarchism < Fully Automated Luxury Gay Space Communism

A liberal asks, “Does it feel good?” A conservative asks, “Does it actually do good? Is it better than what we have? How much will it cost?” Conservatives are obviously heartless knuckle walkers.

Because today's Liberals are nothing more than barely disguised communist revolutionaries.

From a pretty grounded conservative it's a problem on both sides but that's what's wrong with politics nowadays and why a bipartisan bill is nearly impossible. Both sides see themselves as so far in the right and the other so far from what is right so it seems impossible that they are normal humans with normal and not evil ideas too

I mean, if we went the Voltaire way, most of the political representatives would be missing their heads!

The situation has evolved, so the political world does too

Because libertarians are already classical liberals

"why do people who believe one way not believe differently?"

Eh, well, modern/semi-modern politics and philosophies change with the times and tend to be pretty flexible to suit what they think the times warrant. Ironically, conservatives haven't really changed throughout the times, in comparison. Surprised bringing 19th century ideas into the 21st century still works. Maybe that means something? I dunno. ;) [i]Happy New Year![/i]

I love how we are now getting better at seeing something like gender as a spectrum but still think you have to be a Democrat or a Republican.

Why can't modern conservatives be the party of small government and personal responsibility they claim to be? But no, they want to control who loves who, what women do with their bodies, and punish minorities.

Because the political spectrum is a tool to progress society towards communism. That has always been the endgame. And if you have a brain you can see egalitarianism creeping into right wing libertarianism and conservatism. Even conservatives are giving up their beliefs. It's a very slow brainwashing process but it's working unfortunately. It's best to just ditch the political spectrum completely and embrace the third position.

That Voltaire guy sounds like a real white knight cuck.

As a liberal myself I kind of agree with the free speech thing. I personally hate racism, sexism, homophobia etc. but I can’t get on board with the suppression of free speech no matter how well intentioned. If someone wants to claim whites are the superior race or homosexuality is a sin they should be allowed to. Abhorrent as those views are, people have a right to express them. After all who decides what speech is acceptable and what speech is “hate speech” or “offensive”? You can’t only allow “acceptable” speech and ban “offensive” speech because then it’s not really free speech is it? I dislike the trend these days of people claiming speech should be banned if it’s “offensive”. Nobody has the right to [i]not[/i] be offended. And where do you draw the line at what’s offensive? Everyone can be offended by something. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be allowed to say it. For example should [i]Monty Python’s life of Brian[/i] be banned for offending Christians as it was in Ireland? I doubt many liberals would say yes. On the other hand plenty of liberals would agree with banning Charlie Hebdo cartoons for offending Muslims. I should also add that conservatives are often just as guilty of suppression of free speech as liberals. How often do you hear conservatives call for laws to make burning the flag illegal? Or demand football players be fired for kneeling during the national anthem? Or get outraged over the mockery of Christians? Or demand that words like “evidence based” and “diversity” be banned from science reports?

Or, how about we get rid of political extremes and work on fixing our nation? You know, maybe listen to George Washington's advice on not letting political parties divide us?

What is with this stupid idea that liberals want all freedom of speech repressed? Liberals could give two shits if you express that you don't like a democrat's tax plan or you don't believe we should be allies with a certain country. Liberals do care when you want to exclaim obscenities at someone because of their race, sex, sexual preference, or religion. Liberals are fine with you saying "Obama care isn't the best program and here's some ways to fix that." Liberals are not okay with "Obama needs impeached because he's a stupid gay ass <racist slur> Muslim piece of shit! Where's your birth certificate u <insert racist slur>." Not only is that completely unnecessary and immature, it's completely wrong. Another example is sure, be Christian, exclaim you love god, [i]but it is completely unnecessary to see two gay men and call them fags, deny them service, or treat then like shit because some random text in the bible.[/i] Liberals don't want all freedom of speech repressed. Liberals want you to stop taking a mile when the constitution gives you an inch. Is it so difficult to treat someone kindly? Inb4 "well liberals always shit talk Christians and white people" Before that victim card is thrown, you see how it feels right? This is exactly how other people feel when you treat them like shit for their race, sex, religion, etc. You don't like it, obviously. It's a taste of your own medicine. Yet instead of you realizing the bigger picture, you guys vote for Trump and become naźis to get back at liberals. Good one. Inb4 "well if they were direct with us we wouldn't have done that" WE HAVE BEEN! FOR YEARS! And the crap liberals get told? [i]You're repressing my freedom of speech! I have the right to say whatever I want.[/i] Its like you guys can't remember "your actions have consequences." You spew trash, you get retaliation. Why is just being kind so difficult? There's no reason to not hold a door for an African American behind you besides being an asshole. [spoiler]Inb4 someone reading this takes "you" personally and has to tell me they don't do that. Okay, I'm saying "you" to reflect that this is everyone. It makes more sense then addressing "everyone" or "most people" since saying stuff like that will cause people to not reflect upon themselves. They'll read past it and be like "Oh well that doesn't apply to me!" and ignore the message. So don't give me a sob story about how I used "you" in my text. If you don't do this, congratulations, you're a pretty great person.[/spoiler]