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The word "socialism" needs rehabilitation more than "liberal", because there's a whole slew of reforms attached to it. The vast right wing radio conspiracy has trained half the nation to associate socialism with totalitarian dictatorships and confiscation, instead of with Universal health care, social-security and European style worker's rights.
For my two cents, I associate "liberal" with an undemanding softness that doesn't ask enough of people. Progressive sounds more energetic, more like a working team.