George,

When the "new age" republicans use the word "liberal" with their lips curled and the vitriol flowing, I always feel a measure of flattery! After all, virtually every great American president from Thomas Jefferson through William Jefferson Clinton have come-in for this favorite right-wing epithet.

To me, it is a measure of the pettiness, envy and downright nastiness of a political philosophy bereft of any measurable contribution to "promote the general welfare " as envisioned by the framers of the Constitution in the forming of our great nation.

When the general population refuses to yield to their unending stream of vituperatives and general vindictiveness, they learn nothing and truly believe that whatever individual gratification they might gain by their behavior well justifies their actions.

Understandable, it may be, that members of the anti-liberal faction have few heroes of their own, either apparent or real, to celebrate over the history of the United States, their demogoguing has had the effect of delaying the beneficial course of history, so, it takes a greater space of time to achieve the "liberal" causes that so often benefit the general welfare of the nation, to the chagrin of the reactionaries....

In summary, history is on the side of the Liberals.

Harry Tenney (electronic mail, March 19, 2001).