Linoge has an enlightening little piece examining the word “liberal”.

I’ve known many so-called Liberals in my life, especially when I was in undergrad, and certainly I know many today. The sad thing is, if you go by the true definition of “liberal”:

• open to new behavior or opinions (“open minded”)
• willing to discard traditional values
• favorable to or respectful of individual rights and freedoms
• favoring maximum individual liberty in political and social reform
• non-interventionist
• tolerant

most Liberals aren’t; in fact, I’d say they’re just the opposite.