Congratulations on a really good post. You have pointed out something you apparently don't understand and hasn't yet penetrated your counciousness. And that is that liberals stress that all have a right pursue their individuality in an open manner and the state must use its authority to secure their rights and help the least able among them do likewise.

Actually, you would be an excellent liberal democrat and would bring illumination to the political philosophy of fairness and justice if you could get over your hidebound rigid political adherence to the Republican party line. Come on, Tom, stretch and allow yourself to be a born again individual. The Democratic party needs you, and more importantly, you need to be free of the overarching obligation to defend and excuse the calumny of this current administration actions and policies.

BTW, the vote you so herald is NOT a victory for the Bush administration. The fact of such a matter to even been on the radar screen, let alone make its way to be discussed and voted on in congress is a resounding defeat for Bush. Look at the polls, look at the panic of Republican candidates as they distance themselves from Bush---hell even the NASCAR Bush lacks public support.

And look at where Mr. Bush's leadership has taken us, all the way from being the most powerful and envied nation in the world to being the most hated nation in the world and 7 trillion dollars in debt.

Publius