The Dirty Word

When did liberal become such a dirty word?
What does it mean?
Let's take a look:

'liberal(s)' appears to be a derogatory term for people of a particular politcal persuasion. Is Liberal the new Communist?

Here below is one set of definitions for liberal. Would this define said 'liberals' when voiced by a 'libertarian' or conservative in the states? you'll notice words like 'tolerance' and phrases like 'not bound by orthodoxy'. Are these reprehensible qualities to a tea bagger? Or does 'liberal' mean something completely different to them? Just asking...

Definitions of liberal on the Web:

•broad: showing or characterized by broad-mindedness; "a broad political stance"; "generous and broad sympathies"; "a liberal newspaper"; "tolerant of his opponent's opinions"
•having political or social views favoring reform and progress
•tolerant of change; not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or tradition
•a person who favors a political philosophy of progress and reform and the protection of civil liberties
•big: given or giving freely; "was a big tipper"; "the bounteous goodness of God"; "bountiful compliments"; "a freehanded host"; "a handsome allowance"
•a person who favors an economic theory of laissez-faire and self-regulating markets

Conversely what is Conservative:
•resistant to change
•cautious: avoiding excess; "a conservative estimate"
•a person who is reluctant to accept changes and new ideas
•bourgeois: conforming to the standards and conventions of the middle class; "a bourgeois mentality"

Increased Support for Legalization of Marijuana

You probably already knew this but more men favor legalization of marijuana as oppose to women. And of course younger, with a college education, and leaning toward liberal democrat support legalization 66% to 29%... While support for legalizing marijuana has never been higher (pun intended); it's interesting to note the polarization by: party, political leaning, education, age and gender. Political viewpoint also, not surprisingly, trend in polar opposites for Gay Marriage, Gun control, and Legal Abortion. There are roughly 72 million registered Democrats and 55 million registered Republicans... that leaves about 74 million independents. This is interesting against the backdrop that Forty percent of Americans describe their political views as conservative, 36% as moderate, and 20% as liberal. This marks a shift from 2005 through 2008, when moderates were tied with conservatives as the most prevalent group.

I still think if liberal Democrats put down the bong they would sway elections more toward the issues they support.