>As an alien, I have trouble follwing some of this. Do I understand correctly, that "liberal" is often used with an offensive connotation? Because when I look it up in www.dictionary.com, I find mainly definitions that look quite positive - apart from some usages marked as "obsolete":
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>"Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry."
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>"Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas..."
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>Perhaps it refers specifically to meaning "d.", related to "liberal parties", but then again, these are "... associated with principles of social and political liberalism".

'Liberal' is not a bad or offensive word. It is just like 'conservative'. The current US Administration, which is not 'conservative' but 'neocon' - something different, has sought to demonize the word 'liberal' as if it was some kind of disgusting disease or something. Don't believe it. It is just a political and social position.