A vast majority of liberals I have known have been genuinely kind hearted, sensitive and generous people. The term "bleeding-heart liberal," although usually used as an insult (kind of like "flag-waver") has real truth in it. Concern for their fellow human being is a major driver for them. So how do many end up with a socialist world view?

In the tradition of evil throughout history, the collectivist/socialist minority uses this liberal virtue as a weak point, successfully convincing liberals that the best way to end pain, hunger, poverty, racism, crime, etc. is to give much more power to the state.

Every media analysis, speech, policy, and legislative program is bent towards supporting government methods of solving problems, and ridiculing, minimizing, or actually destroying any non-government alternatives.

This tactic is being used currently in the health care battle, with private alternatives to government health care being attacked and whittled away. This tactic will also show up strongly in the Social Security privatization battle that is looming.

The truth is that the liberals (and the conservatives, for that matter) who are down in the trenches, volunteering their time and skills to help others, donating their own money and material, are probably much more successful as a rule than government programs in dealing with the problems of society.

But there is no political power to be gained by volunteer programs and charities, is there?