I'm predominately a centrist and can readily see and understand the validity of some - but never all - any given position either side takes. In my opinion, only a short sighted idiot ever does that.
You ask "Have the Libs ever stood for anything?" Without hesitation, my answer would unequivocally be YES.
If you ever cared about the protection and preservation of human rights for all, they're the ones to fight for such. They also tend to hold corporations that exploit workers and contaminate environments to account, among other issues.
If your priority is about achieving wealth, status & power - no matter the detrimental costs to others - the GOP will always unapologetically endorse such and have no hesitation whatsoever in crossing legal and/or ethical boundaries to achieve such.