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Recursion

(56,582 posts)

4. AFAIK those are both libertarians and I haven't read much of either

Reply to Gabi Hayes (Reply #3)

Tue Jun 28, 2016, 02:11 AM

Jun 2016

I'd be happy to elaborate if you can ask something more specific. If we look at what people who self-identify as "liberal" and "progressive" seem to define those terms as meaning (and those populations are distinct, incidentally), then the closest to either of those definitions is clearly Barack Obama.

In the past, the sense of the word "liberal" was closer to what we today call "libertarian"; there were probably Presidents in that era who were more "liberal" in that sense than any other President, but libertarianism isn't something I've studied much so I don't really know. Jefferson, maybe?

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Is it acceptable to discuss who is/was the most liberal president in US history? [View all] Gabi Hayes Jun 2016 OP

What "liberal" has meant over the years has changed so much it might not mean much Recursion Jun 2016 #1

neither of those would be particularly controversial choices bonemachine Jun 2016 #2

wrongo....open to everyone. not going to put in my 1c until there's more discussion Gabi Hayes Jun 2016 #5

When was Barry Goldwater ever BlueMTexpat Jun 2016 #10

wow! packed quite a lot into a very small space. Gabi Hayes Jun 2016 #3

AFAIK those are both libertarians and I haven't read much of either Recursion Jun 2016 #4

I guess we can start by giving some background for the conclusions you've drawn Gabi Hayes Jun 2016 #7

You need to add President Johnson... Agnosticsherbet Jun 2016 #6

I have to mention Jimmy Carter spud_demon Jun 2016 #8

A great day in history is coming up...6/30....has to do with President Carter, more info on 6/30 Stuart G Jun 2016 #12

I would not too many here are too easily offended. gordianot Jun 2016 #9

Characterizing programs makes more sense to me than characterizing people. merrily Jun 2016 #11

This is the sort of topic that can only be discussed ... JustABozoOnThisBus Jun 2016 #13