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

[glatt]

Originally Posted by Flint

I believed, at that time (although I never would have admitted to it in these terms, but the concept is unavoidable), that a legitimate use of the government would be to impose ideas on some people "for their own good" simply because the rest of us were so convinced that we had all the answers.

I don't believe that anymore.

I still believe it in some circumstances. And I think you do too.

Lookout gave the example of government tax breaks to promote home ownership. I think most people support that, and I think it's a correct use of the government.

But you can use even simpler and less controversial examples. The government wants citizens to not kill each other. So it will throw you in jail if you do.

Of course, you are thinking of people being forced to use compact fluorescent light bulbs, or something like that. You'll be able to come up with examples where the government maybe goes too far. It won't be hard.