Liberalism Corrupted

    The battle for the presidency in this election year is developing more and more into a clash of ideologies. On the Democrat side Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders move farther left to assure their supporters of their liberal purity, while on the Republican side the candidates try to outdo each other in professing their conservative faith. Even Donald Trump, who has previously espoused liberal positions on abortion, health care, and taxation, now assures us – unconvincingly, in my view -- of his conversion to conservative principles.

    Students of history might find it curious to see how those labels have been corrupted over time. Liberalism, as a political ideology, emerged in the 19^th century in opposition to the authoritarianism of the ruling class. It promoted liberty on all fronts: civil, economic, personal, social, religious, and domestic. It championed the middle class, equality under the law, and individual responsibility, while opposing the conservative, privileged elites who knew what was best for the lower classes and governed accordingly.

    Today it is the conservatives who champion personal responsibility, free enterprise, freedom of religion, and freedom of speech. Liberals, who dominate the Democrat party, want big government to manage everything from the economy to health care, energy and trade, and to solve perceived problems with regulations and executive orders. Liberals have forgotten that freedom does not mean “free stuff.”

    In the 19^th century liberalism was in reality a revolution against the established, conservative order. If John Stuart Mill, liberalism's greatest advocate, were alive today, he would denounce the very movement he championed. Disgusted with Washington politics, he would probably join the Tea Party.