"Party Loyalty - Freedom's Worse Enemy"

Such was George Washington's assessment
of the result of putting party interests above the principles of liberty.
The words come from his immortal Farewell Address.
In this address he warned that party loyalty could
(and many times does) become freedom's "worst enemy."

He said this "spirit of party" should be "discouraged" and "restrained."
These are sagacious instructions that have all but been forgotten today.

Washington knew that political parties
intrinsically tend to compete with man's better nature and conscience.
More than one person has compromised his or her principles
in the name of "party unity."

This "spirit of party" also competes with the spirit of liberty.
People who sell their futures to a political party
almost always come to the belief
that what is good for party is good for the country.
However, such is seldom the case.

This is clearly seen in the way party loyalists
respond to chicanery and duplicity.
When practiced by the party opposite,
there is moral outrage and righteous indignation.
But when practiced within one's own party,
there is complete indifference or even spirited absolution.

This preoccupation with political parties
helps explain most of the carryings on in Washington, D.C. these days.
It helps explain why Democrats excoriate John Ashcroft
for his religious beliefs while practically deifying Joseph Liebermann for his.
It also helps explain why Republicans will demonize Al Gore
for questionable connections to Communist China,
but will say nothing about similar questions surrounding Elaine Chao.
It is party politics - nothing more.

The only question we should be asking is,
what is best for America?
If Communist influence (or anything else) is harmful to America,
it should be rebuked when found within the Democrat or Republican Party!
After all, does it really matter if the party suffers, or even vanishes?
Does anyone really miss the Whigs?

What does matter is what happens to the country.
freedom can survive without the Republican or Democrat Party.
However, it cannot survive without the principles of liberty remaining intact.

It is crucial that all of us remember
that this constitutional republic of ours is an ongoing experiment in self-government.
It is not government of, by and for the party;
it is government of, by and for the people.
Therefore, it is up to each and every one of us to hold ourselves,
our elected representatives and, yes,
our political parties to the historic principles that birthed this great land!

To the degree that they support these principles,
they should be supported;
to the degree that they don't, they should be opposed.
Ignoring and excusing unconstitutional governance
and unprincipled leadership
simply because it emanates from within one's own party
is a precursor for "a frightful despotism."
We need to learn this lesson, and soon!

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