What is a ...?

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After in depth discussions on all kinds of political issues with my car-pooler, I thought I'd ask for response here. What is a conservative? In the current, political ideology usage in the USA. How about a liberal? While we are here, we can add Democrat, & Republican. And of course, with all the current health issue bantering going on, other terms, like socialist, and progressive are being thrown around pretty commonly. Do you identify yourself as something else, altogether (libertarian, green party, etc.?) If so, what? And what is it? I'd really like to get some in depth answers here, looking for some compare & contrast-ability. What makes any of these things different from another?