Though as with many words Liberal was hijacked quite some time ago in the U.S. and likely elsewhere. Many Liberals are some of the least tolerant people there are. They like you as long as you agree with them. If you do not then you are the enemy. This is GROUP think and therefore is not about the individual.

This is largely why things like the Libertarian party arose. Libertarian ideology is where most of what is considered "classically" liberal has gone. They tend to say Socially Liberal and Fiscally Conservative. In other words, freedom and not spending money like an idiot, especially spending other people's money.

Anyway good post.