You couldn't have given a better explanation of the basic strength of classical liberalism than to contrast it with current Bush Republicanism than by saying, "The fundamentalist program is a meme, a self-perpetuating idea that cannot tolerate any questioning or inquiry, much less outright criticism."

In the current vernacular criticism is immediately translanted into unAmericanism, cowardice, appeasement, or weakness. And, when you own all the mechanisms of congressional process as do the Republicans, they have the added oppobrium we have heard repeated on these boards that "Democrats have no program of their own." The truth of the matter is that Democrats have no forum to present their programs because the Republican monopoly position owns committees and controls what can be brought before congress. Thus, it would be fair to say, "Democrats have no programs to speak of." And this is simply because anything Democrats say has the same sound as that tree that falls in the forest where there is no one to hear it. Bush enjoys the "Bully Pulpit" and Democratic policy is effectively estopped by Fristmas control.

Presently the press is encountering the wrath of this meglomaniac administration and validates your saying, "it ..refuses to tolerate the slightest criticism, it constantly scrutinizes the most innocuous material and activity seeking out any failure to include recognition of its principles or worship of its icons."

A review of Tom's obdurate posts in defense of Bush, Bushisms and administration policy cause him to abandon his Libertarian ideals and throw in with Scott Evil, Geof, and others that espouse the "my country right or wrong" philosophy. As you have noted, this philosophy "will not compromise, even with movements which might share some beliefs with them, they insist on orthodoxy."

I expect them to be apoplectic if Republicans can't find a way to steal continued control of national government.

Publius