Liberals only. Why are you a liberal?

I believe in personal liberty, a well regulated economy and separation of church and state.

I do not accept that we need to give up civil liberties to remain safe. I believe that is a false choice.

I also believe deregulation allows corporations to exploit the workers and contributes to an unjust and polarized economy.

I believe church should stay out of gov't and gov't out of the church. Laws should not be made based on religious beliefs alone.

My understanding of conservatives is that they believe the exact opposite (free businesses, restrict liberties for safety, enforce morality)

I guess its because I believe in the rule of law and the Constitution.

And especially the wording in the Declaration if Independence ...but let's toss in The Gettysberg Address too.

I have principles based on ethics.

I think its important to counter the forces of bigotry, greed and the worship of authoritarian government that so permeates the guiding principles of many, ( perhaps not all) American conservatives.

Anytime someone defends the premise that the ends justify the means, it leaves the door open for abuses of authority.

I am a liberal in response to the present and past Bush administrations . We can do better.

RK above me pretty much sums it up.

I used to be Republican until I became educated and then turned into a Libertarian and then realized this is not feasible if you care about your fellow man so I turned liberal.

I was on the right for a long time because I was stubborn, but with education comes turning dem. I have found the same to be true with all of my educated peers.

Being Republican means being afraid all the time... afraid of terrorists, foreigners, change, murderers (guns/death penalty) etc. but once you educate yourself and realize these are nowhere near the threats the media would have you believe you calm down and think logically about it.

I believe the more educated you become the more liberal you become

defining liberal is also a problem but generally speaking

tax the rich, help the poor

freedoms from govt, drugs, sex, safety (helmets, seat belts)

police the rich from abusing the people

and a humble foriegn policy with peace first

You're opening a wide category, because NeoCons call everyone to the left of Atilla the Hun a "liberal."

I don't vote conservative because I think they're 2 faced in the way they operate--they claim to care about Christianity and family values, when all they really care about is the value of oil.

MBush..."and what better way, than to use everyones money."

Guess it's better to use everyone's money to make yourself rich, robbing others at the pump, eh?

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=1841989

I believe in some basic principles, those being equality (not denying rights to someone because of age, color, religious orientation, sexual orientation, etc-depending on the generation it shifts), access to health care, morality not being legislated, and a basic empathy for my fellow man.

Democrats do not necessarily reflect my views, but they seem to be closer than the neocons in power today.

Socially:

I believe in the pursuit of happiness and individuality without undue control imposed onto me by others.

Economically:

I am more a fiscal conservative, but I understand the role of government to occasionally make investments within our nation, it's people and expertise.

"As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality." - -- George Washington

Im a reganite liberal republican because I believe in low taxation and the eastward expansion of democracy

Because I believe in justice & democracy. And because War and Racism are always wrong, no matter what you call them.