Would Someone PLEASE Explain Liberalism To Me????

I came out of the grocery store yesterday and couldn't believe it. I got stopped \by a woman who asked me a question about this blog. Now, there was a time, a LONG time ago, when getting stopped in the grocery store was commonplace for me. I used to be on the radio and hosted talk shows, etc. I couldn't go out in public all that much without getting someone noticing me. And that was fine. But I haven't really done "on-air work" for almost 30 years.

Anyway, she told me I was too conservative. I asked her what she meant, and she smiled and said, "You know what I mean." Then she walked away. Now, she wasn't mean to me. She didn't call me names, she just said I was too conservative.

Well, ok. I used to live in the bastion of unionism, Toledo, Ohio. Nothing gets done in that town at all without union approval. Even by the most conservative of groups. Now, I live in Arizona. VERY conservative state compared to where I came from.I mean, this is the home of "Sheriff Joe" Arpaio, probably the most conservative sheriff in the country. We're the home of Jan Brewer, the governor that wagged her finger in Barack Obama's face when he came here last year. Oh, we have our share of liberals, don't get me wrong, but they're not real liberals. They're more like Rockefeller Republicans. People consider John McCain to be a liberal out here.

What I'm wondering is, and I'm truly and honestly sincere about this....what the hell was that lady talking about. Somebody that doesn't agree with me....someone that considers themselves liberal, I would love for you to have a dialogue with me and tell me where I'm off base. I am in need of education I guess. I just can't see how anyone could actually BE a liberal. So, help me out. If you know you're liberal, or at least understand their point of view, let me know and educate me. I have a few ground rules that have to go both ways however:

1. No name calling. You don't need to call me names and I certainly won't call you names. I'm serious about trying to figure this group out. I haven't been able to understand how it is people can come up with their thought process. Please enlighten me. Don't insult me.

2. Don't drag everything back to George W. Bush. I know you hate him. I know he's the anti-Christ, but I want to know why you're a liberal and why you believe like you do. George W. Bush, I'm sure, didn't play into you becoming a liberal.

3. Use logic and examples. Be specific. I will be and I need you to as well. Don't just say, "Conservatives want to kill old people by starving them". First of all, it's not true, secondly I don't think they'd do it since from what I've seen, most conservatives ARE old people. That one doesn't make sense.

4. Be prepared to tell me why a larger government makes sense. Also I'd like to learn how you plan on paying for all of the government programs. Taxing the rich is out on this one by the way. We're too far in debt. You could confiscate all of the wealth over $250,000/year in income and it still wouldn't pay off what we owe. I would also like to hear about how liberals can be for abortion, and still be Christian. Haven't been able to figure that one out yet either.

There you go. I'm all ears....a willing pupil ready to learn. Any takers?