What does being a "Liberal" mean? (US)

[lookout123]

Liberal and Conservative are just tags people throw on themselves and others so that it is easier to categorize and dismiss the thoughts and ideas of others.

I believe the US government should act with fiscal responsibility. To do that they must not spend more than they take in and they must become debt free.

Does that make me a liberal or a conservative?

I believe the government should operate with the least possible interference with the daily lives of the citizens.

Does that make me a liberal or a conservative?

I believe personal responsibility for one's actions and the consequences should be the bedrock for a sound society.

Does that make me a liberal or a conservative?

Each of those statements can and should prompt several different responses. Those responses will be informed by what the individual believes is important and their interpretation of what the gray area in those statements should mean. Tags like liberal and conservative are just convenient ways to divide us so we don't take the time to realize we have more in common with our hardcore opposite than we do with those we've sent to Washington.

Now who has a vested interest in doing that?