LOVERS OF LIBERTY

"The deep-rooted selfishness, which forms the general character of the
existing state of society, is so deeply rooted only because the whole
course of existing institutions tends to foster it; and modern institutions
in some respects more than ancient, since the occasions on which the
individual is called on to do anything for the public without receiving its
pay, are far less frequent in modern life than in the smaller commonwealths
of antiquity." - John Stuart Mill in 1873 from Liberalism Evaluated

During the almost two years since King George II came to power, the
opposing party has taken on the appearance of a prizefighter on the ropes,
taking blow after blow as the merciless Republicans have attempted to
deliver the knockout punch. Invariably, the political rhetoric that has
fueled this onslaught has featured the terms "liberal" and "Democrat"
synonymously. Indeed, these labels, once an adjective and a (proper) noun,
have veritably been merged into a single word that KGII and Company have
introduced as the new name for the now-minority party: The Liberaldemocrats.

Moreover, the addition of "liberal" to "Democrat" has been strategically
executed with "liberal" being presented as a pejorative. This has served
the Republican agenda well as it has tainted the term "Democrat" with the
new, disparaging definition of "liberal" that is currently-and
successfully-being advanced by the ruling party. If only "liberal" was a
four-letter word it would be a perfect plan.

In point of fact, the term "liberal" is rooted in the word "liberty." And
it was the aim of the true patriots that founded our nation-the original
liberals, or lovers of liberty-to protect the interests of the masses by
setting limits to the power of those in government.

John Stuart Mill, one of the foremost nineteenth-century spokesmen for
liberalism, advocated the view that we should each act so as to promote the
greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. He was a champion of
individuals' rights, calling for, among other things, more power and
freedom for women. In his famous 1859 treatise, "On Liberty," Mill provides
a timeless definition of liberalism.

"The rulers should be identified with the people; their interest and will
should be the interest and will of the nation. Let the rulers be
effectually responsible to it, promptly removable by it, and it could
afford to trust them with power of which it could itself dictate the use to
be made. Their power was but the nation's own power, concentrated, and in a
form convenient for exercise. This mode of thought, or rather perhaps of
feeling, was common among the last generation of European liberalism, in
the Continental section of which it still apparently predominates."

Despite the perfunctory partisan portrayal as the proponents of big
government, reckless spending and high taxes, true liberals are generous,
kind, caring, inclusive and charitable. They are concerned with the welfare
of others and are prone to share their means with those who might be less
fortunate. Let's examine the lesson of one of history's purest-but most
obscure-liberals, the late S.S. Rogers.

The year was 1872, and the wave of westward expansion was at its peak.
Settlers making their way through western Kansas encountered a seemingly
endless prairie of grasslands, highlighted by just one river. Most simply
passed on through, assessing the area "uninhabitable." However, one
particularly pioneering man was compelled to make this land his home.
Recognizing the scarcity of water as a reality, this courageous first
settler, S.S. Rogers, set about the task of digging a well that would
ensure the viability of his new homestead. Given the deficiency of water in
southwestern Kansas, there was usually a price tag attached to even a small
amount. However, Rogers was known to give his water free to passing
travelers. Frequently he would hear a reply of "that's mighty liberal of
you" from the grateful recipients.

Soon, Rogers opened a general store where an official post office was
established. Due to Rogers' generosity toward his fellow human beings, the
new town was named Liberal, Kansas.

It's time we separated the terms "liberal" and "Democrat." After all, most
of our elected Democrats are not true liberals in the mold of either Mill
or Rogers.

More importantly, though, the time has come to remind ourselves of the
original American liberals, the "lovers of liberty," who dedicated their
lives to founding a new nation based upon the highest ethical principles.
The rights of individuals were held to be the highest priority, and the
government's role was to be the servant of the people. Our present
administration couldn't be farther afield from the original intention.

So, while His Royal Highness and his band of liberal bashers are
celebrating their time, remember that all of their manufactured wars-the
"war on terrorism," the "war on drugs," the "war on Saddam" and the "war on
liberals"-are among the most un-American acts in the history of our Country.

I will conclude with the words of one of the most brilliantly diabolical
political masterminds in modern history.

"Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war in order to whip the
citizenry into a patriotic fervor, for patriotism is indeed a double-edged
sword. It both emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind. And when
the drums of war have reached a fever pitch and the blood boils with hate
and the mind has closed, the leader will have no need in seizing the rights
of the citizenry. Rather, the citizenry, infused with fear and blinded by
patriotism, will offer up all of their rights unto the leader and gladly
so. How do I know? For this is what I have done. And I am Caesar." -Julius
Caesar