What has a more liberal connotation

[desertalien]

liberal or progressive?

[ThorsHammer]

1. IMO, "progressive" sounds more positive in the media

[desertalien]

2. how do you feel about the word conservative?

[ThorsHammer]

3. Right now, it is used as a synonym for 'traditional'

Someone here (not sure who, it was a few weeks back), thought it would be better to call them 'regressive' instead, much like they have made 'liberal' into a bad connotation.

[desertalien]

4. thanks for your reply, now

What do you think of the term progressive conservative? Trying hard to find new framing for liberal.But, I guess that it sounds like a progressive regressive. Have any ideas?

[ThorsHammer]

5. Interesting

Just my opinion, but I think that would confuse people. I'd stick with progressive. Also, if you redefine liberals as progressive, then what does that make those on the other side..........

[desertalien]

7. Oops, edited my post before I saw yours.

Last night O'Lieley used the term "bomb throwing liberals" which is just so outrageous considering the conservatives are the ones throwing the bombs all the time.
Somehow, our words and semantics need to get off the defensive and be redefined before the next election or we can't win.
MSM and the neocons have us in a corner. I believe redefining is our first step.

[RaleighNCDUer]

9. The only bombs liberals throw tend to be 'F' bombs.

But you must understand that in their lexicon, liberal = radical = communist = anarchist = terrorist. They aren't into nuance, defining the differences between them.

Oh, and you can stick 'democrat' anywhere in there, as well.

[desertalien]

10. Sad but true

Is there a simple way to change the perception of the simple minded who are growing in numbers as we speak?

[ThorsHammer]

12. That's the million dollar question

Big media is a push at best, and talk radio is overwhelmingly conservative. Air America might be a good start, but still has a way to go.

[SmokingJacket]

6. The difference, to me, is that "liberal" seems to connote a

particular lifestyle, while "progressive" connotes a political affiliation. Of course, there's some overlap.

Liberal is the way I live my life; progressive is how I vote. The two are connected but not exactly the same.

I understand that "liberal" has a negative connotation to some people, but I don't feel it and have never shied away from using the word. If we use it enough in a positive way, perhaps we can take it back.

I suspect a lot of non-politically-obsessed people have no freaking idea what a progressive is. That might be a good thing.

[desertalien]

8. That's what I was thinking.

We need to use words that will get people to realize the truth about our agenda and pay attention. Not be dumbed down by the other side.

[muriel_volestrangler]

11. How can 'progressive' be more liberal than 'liberal'?

Did you really mean: what has a more positive connotation, liberal or progressive?

I'll say this: taking the original meanings of the words, 'progressive' implies you want change, while 'liberal' mean you want freedom - which you might think you already have.