Pubdate: Thu, 28 Nov 2002 Source: Boulder Weekly (CO) Section: Stew's Views Copyright: 2002 Boulder Weekly Contact: http://www.boulderweekly.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/57 Author: Stewart Sallo 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 - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D