I've always seen myself as liberal BECAUSE it was pragmatic, not in spite of it. Pragmatic and fair. Rightly or wrongly, I am convinced that a world organized the way I'd like to see it would not only be best for me, it would be best for most of us. I believe this kind of world is achievable, not because of some philosophical set of rules or politico/economic doctrine or laws of physics or religion or patriotic ancestor worship, but because it makes sense. And I believe there is more than one path to paradise, in fact there are an infinite number of them. They're just not immediately obvious.

OTOH, I don't feel being liberal means I have to follow anyone's party line to the last detail, especially when that alleged "liberal party line" is often defined more by my ideological opposites than by those whose politics I feel in tune with. I don't like to pay taxes, or coddle criminals, or let other countries hurt and humiliate us, or tolerate clumsy bureaucracies and ossified bureaucrats (public or private)any more than the next guy. I believe in hard work and family values, and I even own a few firearms. I believe in the free market, but I mistrust merchants and bankers. They're no better than lawyers or politicians.

I really resent being accused of what I'm not in order to justify someone elses prejudices about who I am. I don't believe the wealth of the society should be distributed equally, but it must be distributed fairly. You should be rewarded according to your ability to contribute--but no one should have too little, or too much. Think about that bell shaped curve... And most of all, I am convinced there are a lot of good and decent people out there who feel exactly the way I do, but have totally different ideas about how to achieve it.

I don't think we should be bullies or world cops, but I'm no bleeding heart pacifist either--the world is full of bad guys and sometimes they need to be taught a lesson. I just don't think we ought to be one of them. I do not want to do away with capitalism, just tax it and regulate it so it serves us, not the other way round. Taking care of the planet is our duty and obligation as human beings, not a Communist conspiracy. And people who work for a living are just as valuable, worthwhile and noble as those who employ them. In wartime, the seaman and the admiral both have a contribution to make, and an obligation to serve.

People should be ready and willing to work for what they have, but education and health care and social services and justice should be available to all, not just those who can afford it. People who are working their ass off are entitled to live a decent life. If they (and their kids) are hungry its because someone else is making too much money.
Yes, there are deadbeats, but I believe that for the most part, people who are poor are not necessarily that way because they are stupid, lazy, inferior or criminal. People who believe THAT are fascists and I have no use for them.

I'm a New Deal Democrat, its how I was brought up.