Korean Job Discussion Forums

[call_the_shots]

Why is it that "Conservative" seems to be a compliment whereas "Liberal" is usually an insult?

[Tiger Beer]

I don't remember it being a 'bad word' until the Clinton years and the extremely fast and rapid growth of talk show radio (which leans HEAVILY to the right). Rush Limbaugh in particular, among MANY others that seemed to realize they could make a fast buck mimicking the message/mindset.

[bangbayed]

I think you should preface this (and this would also help to explain the answer) with the fact that this is true mainly in the US.

[Ya-ta Boy]

Most of the reason, in addition to talk radio, is that for most of the last 28 years the conservatives controlled the White House. Who controls the White House has the biggest say on what direction the national political discussion takes.

This will begin to change now that the Democrats control both the executive and legislative branches. The biggest factor might be that we are going to have an eloquent, well-spoken president. On top of that, Olbermann and Maddow are drawing bigger audiences than Bill O'Reilly lately. If that continues, it will lend momentum to the change.

(Obviously my prediction depends on Obama having a successful presidency. If he drops the ball, it will take JC Himself to resurrect liberals.)

[Jandar]

Liberal became synonymous with Overspending and fiscal irresponsibility in the 80's.

The best one was when Dukakis tried to shed the tag and proclaimed that he was a progressive.


I think most Americans now see that a NeoCon can spend as wildly as any Liberal.

When I speak of these terms and the public perseption in the US when the general populace hears Liberal they think "Tax and Spend".

I think the general population now lnows that there is more to liberal thought than that and that in fact liberals have an interest in responsible spending.