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• Thursday, September 4, 2008 09:27 AM

  Move to Germany

  If you don't like this web site you can always leave. If you have a problem with people who have differing views sharing your country... well, I'm afraid nobody can help you there, though that's not a very American perspective.

  The people who made this country what is is were militant liberals, in the dictonary sense:

  lib·er·al (lĭb'ər-əl, lĭb'rəl) adj. Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry. Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded. (The American Heritage Dictionary)

  The Founding Fathers didn't have any problem taking on the status quo and were pretty vocal about the separation of church and state. And they didn't just protest, they kicked ass. Plenty of Britis Loyaltists said, "If you don't like this country, leave." So they did. Be careful what you wish for, eh? Liberalism, especially on issues of civil rights and civil liberties, is a patriotic American tradition.

  We've got a great culture of mixed capitalism here but not long ago that was also considered a liberal economic policy. Still is in some places. There's a happy medium where people can still get rich enough to buy and sell their own houses a hundred times over and let impoverished children get their check-ups and shots for free. Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, said taxes were the price we paid for living in a civilized society. Roosevelt said the essential human freedoms were freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from want, freedom from fear. As the richest, most powerful country in the history of the world, America is head and shoulders above any other country in its ability to provide those things to a majority of its citizens. Without putting our mixed powerhouse economy at risk.

  I earn plenty of money. And Obama's going to be great for moderates like me.

  —Effie Perine Read Effie Perine's other letters
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