Defining the Argument

lib·er·al
adj.

1. Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry.
2. Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded.
3. Tending to give freely; generous .
4. Generous in amount; ample.
   
   

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I put forth two questions, which I have never been able to answer to my own satisfaction:

When, how and why did this become a dirty word?

And what, pray tell, does it say about our society?