Gee Tom, Is it not amazing that such a huge percentage of those that have studied political theory, economics, political history, and philosophy are--forgive my use of the "L" word---liberals? Academics generally agree their liberalism claims decent from the intellectual positions of Locke, Montesquieu, and Voltaire as well as movements such as the Protestant Reformation and Revolution of 1688. This basic liberalism was a reaction against two of the characteristic features of medieval society in Europe: religious conformity and ascribed status. From your antipithy towards liberalism it is difficult not to assume you wish to perpetuate the economic status you enjoy and feel you need to prevent others from reaching this same point by holding them back. Is it true you really fear change and you want to use government to keep things the way they are? Are you also dedicated to a fundamentalist religion of some sort? I have been reading your responses for some time and curiosity finally has made me ask where your constricted attitudes come from? Hate to sound like a "nattering nabob" Spiro, but I quess I fall into the pointy-head grouping you have so often talked about.