Liberals vs. Conservatives: the basics

 Liberalism, is according to Merriam-Webster by definition "a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, and the autonomy of the individual and standing for the protection of political and civil liberties; specifically : such a philosophy that considers government as a crucial instrument for amelioration of social inequities (as those involving race, gender, or class)"

Conservatism, is according to Merriam-Webster by definition "a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change; specifically : such a philosophy calling for lower taxes, limited government regulation of business and investing, a strong national defense, and individual financial responsibility for personal needs (as retirement income or health-care coverage)"

how do these differing political ideologies fit in to real world economic, social, and defense issues you ask?... 

Liberals, often called "the left", tend to be for...

• progressive legislation such as healthcare reform to provide everyone with affordable medical care, 
• they tend to be pro-choice and supportive of women's reproductive rights, 
• they believe in "green" initiatives being a job creator that can aid in improving our environment as well as addressing our unemployment rate, they are for sustainable energy resources because they respect the advice of the EPA (a group of highly intelligent specialized scientists who have no reason to lie about global warming), 
• they favor diplomatic approaches over war, they are for providing documentation for illegal immigrants who were raised in the U.S., 
• they are for raising the capital gains tax (the tax that rich people get on carried interest from large investments) and addressing America's gap of income inequality, 
• favor some government regulation of large corporations and financial institutions, 
• for equal marriage rights for the LGBTQ community, 
• and they believe in social welfare like social security and investing in education.

Conservatives, often called "the right", tend to be for...

• limited government regulation of businesses and investing (lack of regulation led to the mortgage crisis and the resulting recession and bailout), 
• for anti gay-rights bills like the Defense of Marriage Act,
• they favor a strong national defense which means they're willing to invest more money in the military and weapons than in social welfare programs like food stamps for those in need and social security or education, 
• they're for individual financial responsibility for personal needs which encompasses all needs like paying for your medical bills (which in America can be financially devastating whether you've got insurance or not, check out what Santorum said to the mother of a child whose schizophrenia medicine costs upward of $1 million per year) and paying for your own retirement and paying for your child to get an education even when just trying to afford a house or a car is tougher than ever for the working class poor.