Useful definitions are required if many of the other discussions are to make any sense whatsoever. And of course, these terms mean other things outside the US (which, as we all know is the center of the world and whose definitions are the only ones that truly matter ;-) ).

Is a "Liberal" totally and only one who endorses reproductive choice (and education about same), refuses to persecute gays, prefers that guns have more restrictions on them, and believe that tax laws should favor those who earn their money in the form of a small paycheck. Does s/he also believe that it is the government's responsibility to speak up for the powerless (or at least, less powerful), like workers, children, the poor, the environment.

If you ask most Americans about these positions, the majority support them. Therefore, America is a "Liberal?"

OTOH, "Conservative," or at least today's onservative seems pretends to be for less government interference in peoples' affairs, and less spending. Therefore, America is DEFINITELY not a Conservative. After all, the government is more in debt than it ever has been under any Liberal administration, and far more involved in legislating peoples' personal affairs than it would be if it were truly Conservative. ("Conservatives often take their rhetoric from the Libertarians, who they wish they were but are most assuredly not.)

Which group is more war oriented? The recent opposition to war has come more more from the liberal camp (although it is now pretty well across the board). Certainly, the recent two wars were undeniably instigated by folks who call themselves conservative and use the word Liberal as a derogation.

Or is defining these terms like trying to define "folk music?"