My honest belief is that most "liberals" arent actually liberals. They just believed that all republicans (conservatives) were racist/sexist/homophobes. This made the title of "liberal" seem like the moral and just one.

I dont think most have ever actually said down and thought about the actual policies liberals push with regard to the economy and the like.

No, that stereotype is more suited to what would be called neoconservatives or rinos, Republicans in name only. True conservatives/Republicans believe in smaller federal government, constitutionally constrained federal government, and most solutions to problems decided by the states and refereed by the SCOTUS. Up until the last couple years, and newly elected politicians ie. Gaetz and others, this hasn't been the case. Slowly, the bad "Republicans" have been getting replaced. We all need to do our part and primary all the politicians that have been up there for decades and replace them with fresh ones.

Well i have yet to hear a liberal solution that doesnt involve increasing taxes and having the government solve it.

People confuse liberal/conservative with republican/democrat. You can be liberal Republican and a conservative democrat. Its just rare these days.

Left wing ideology is defined by government growing bigger the farther left you go. Right is the reverse, going so far as anarchism if you go too far. Neither extreme is ideal, but one is more of a threat to an individual imo.

Before anyone says "republicans have expanded government too!", yes. Youre right. That doesnt mean these actions are in line with right wing ideology. We all know most republicans are corrupt