Please define Left/Right. Thanx.

Aw, I thought you meant defining the difference between right side/left side. Now that might be interesting...

Nah, I figured it out, were that the case. Just have a subject face North and use the cardinal directions. But, alas, this is about politics. Sorry for the intrusion, carry on.....

port=left
starboard=right

Ooh, good solution, littlek! I was thinking something like "If you have a beer in one hand, and someone throws you a ball..."

Aw, c'mon you guys . . . this is important.
I want to Understand.

Those words are of course useless.

Just think for yourself and let other idiots label each other.

ebrown really has it right here, the labels are essentially meaningless in todays political world.

Yup.
Just throw your opinions about whatever, here and let us trounce you or praise your wisdom.

Sorry, PatriUgg. I have had this discussion many times, it feels like.

I also agree with ebrown. Labels, schmabels. A thoughtful discussion usually comes down to that, that the ragingest "liberals" and most frothy "conservatives" actually have a lot in common when it comes down to it. Or that the opinions they ascribe to each other are false.

The discussions I've had have been interesting, though, don't want to head this one off at the pass. Carry on.

Well, the Left is what's left over, when everything's been tried.
And the Right is what's left over, when everything in the world is made Wrong.

Or, uh . . .
The Left takes care of the remainder (the left overs),
while the Right creates the remainder (righteously).

I'm trying. Maybe . . .
The Left is the noisy side of the Senate,
while the Right side is out getting things done.

The Left is Bereft,
while the Righty is Mighty?

Liberal means "lots". Lots of talk, lots of ideas, lots of plans.
Conservative means "less". Not much talk, not much thought, just do it and see what happens.

I dunno!
Help me out here . . . How does this all work?? Links? Clues?

Well, damn if ya really need ta know.
Go to http://www.google.com

Have fun.

Well, the one on the right was on the left
And the one in the middle was on the right
And the one on the left was in the middle
And the guy in the rear was a Methodist
Well, the one on the right was on the left
And the one in the middle was on the right
And the one on the left was in the middle
And the guy in the rear burned his driver's license
Well, the one on the right was on the bottom
And the one in the middle was on the top
And the one on the left got a broken arm
And the guy in the rear, said, "Oh dear"
Now, the one on the left works in a bank
And the one in the middle drives a truck
The one on the right's an all-night deejay
And the guy in the rear got drafted

Same song, different dance?

i dance a liberal waltz in 3/4 time
i haven't got time for the pain
i haven't got the dime for the rhyme
i only have hope for the mind.

the one in the back died in vain.

A long time ago, I put up a survey on the net and asked people if they considered themselves conservative, liberal, or moderate, and what they thought about different issues. I haven't updated the results in forever, but at first glance they were a lot different than you might expect - especially when I gave a free amswer part.

To me, liberal means "free" - hence liberty.

The 'Politics' section in A2K's portal might help to find some answers.

I'm quite certain that those terma mean different from continent to continent, from country to country (e.g. 'liberal' in Europe is totally different [mostly right, partly only industry focused] in Europe). (And Germany's Christian Socialist are 'rightish' conservatives.)

I'll give a shot at it.


Conservative people believe strongly in rules and punishment. They believe in honesty. Policemen and firemen tend to have conservative philosophy's Bush is a good example of a conservative president .


Liberals are more forgiving and more permissive. College professors tend to be liberals. They look at the good side of things. Clinton is a good example of a liberal president.

here are some issues and approaches.

Gun control: Conservatives allow gun ownership with no restrictions.
Liberals do not want any guns allowed.

Abortion: Conservatives would eliminate abortions. Liberals would allow it


Flag burning: Conservatives are against it. Liberals support it.

These may be extreme positions to illustrate an answer to your question. Most people fall into one of these categories.