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Carpal Tunnel
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I am having difficulties with the word liberal which to my mind, is all about being broad minded and non judgmental. ah, there's the rub. in this case, they are using the term in its' political meaning, which, yes, for the most part means broad-minded and non-judgemental, and so, also means standing up for the little guy; social concerns, environmental issues, etc., which are seen as contrary to owning a fancy, very expensive automobile. so the term "Lexus Liberal" can be a very apt one. hope that helps. 
formerly known as etaoin...
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A lot, etaoin! Thanks!
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Carpal Tunnel
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I might also ask if the friend from whom you heard this is an USn. If so, you should consider that the term Liberal in the US has taken on something of a bad flavor due to its conversion into a word of invective by those who refer to themselves as Conservatives. And its main meaning among USns takes the idea of broad-minded and non-judgemental to mean lax in morals and willing to let society go to pot in the name of moral relativism. This under the influence of those who have twisted the derfinition to their own ends.
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Pooh-Bah
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Well, as I think I've said elsewhere, I don't really think you can equate the shades of political standing transpondially. A liberal in the US and a liberal in the UK (or, indeed, in Australia and NZ) are two very different kettles of fish. To my way of thinking, US party-political "left-wing" attitudes are pretty much somewhere out to the right of Genghiz Khan.
I'm talking here about the parties, you should note, not about individuals. In my view, the Democrats are very conservative, judged on their actions when in power. The GOP is ultra-conservative, judged on theirs. The neocons are fascists, pure and simple.
So the notion of a political "liberal" will have very different connotations in the US and in the UK, I would have thought!
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Carpal Tunnel
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thank you for that perspective, Cap. as much as I cringe at the thought that those definitions are correct, I would agree with you.
the world is a fascinating place, I hope we'll get to enjoy it.
[blergh][oy][shrug]
formerly known as etaoin...
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The Conservatives' stereotype of the Liberal in the US is "tax and spend". Presumably, a Lexus Liberal would be one who supports tax relief for people who can afford to buy a Lexus. This would be one reason for the accusations of hypocrisy.
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now that's a spin I hadn't thought of.
innerestin'...
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On the other hand, a friend of mine in college in the '70s, who claimed to be a trotskyist (he recanted when he became an actual Worker), when asked the difference between a trotskyist and a trotskyite, responded that it was the same as the difference between a socialist and a socialite.
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Right you are Faldgae, she is a born and bred American, all right. I finally comprehend that I was approaching the word with a somewhat blinkered perspective. I had absolutely no idea that this was the sense of the word on this side of the pond! I also now see the title of a new book, 'What liberal media' in a new light. Hmmm.... And I agree with eta, that the 'tax and spend' angle is both interesting and plausible. Delectable tongue- twister too ...trotskyite torsky....never mind! And so, trophies and applause to: 'lexus liberal'(  Amy); limousine liberal ( slithy), socialist socialite ( rhuby), trotskyist trotskyite ( Faldage) (whew!) Thanks all!
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Carpal Tunnel
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Of course, the conservative alternative seems to be borrow and spend.
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