The Ross Writ

American nationalism, unlike that of every other country in the history of the planet, is not based on our blood, but on a shared belief. The core of that belief is commitment to individual liberty -- the liberty to fulfill oneself in mind, body and spirit to the best of one's desires and ability, regardless of origin. To be American is to subscribe to this idea.

In the 18th century, this country was founded on this idealism. In the 19th century, Lincoln called the country to renew its commitment to this idealism. In the 20th century, FDR gave direction to the modern Liberal tradition and invested the government with new powers to expand the economic reality of this idealism.

Then the conservative movement hijacked the American ideal, took over the Republican Party, ultimately discredited liberalism and corrupted America by misreading and selectively misinterpreting of our nation's fundamental credo.

The Democrat faction in power, drunk with power at all costs, didn't even put up a fight.

The first step is answering the claim that less government means more liberty. The truth is less government means more liberty for those who can pay for it. The rest of us Americans won't enjoy true liberty until the pay-to-play system in Washington is trashed.

Conservatives misread our nation's historic tradition. They think the Founders were focused exclusively on limiting government. The truth is they were equally focused on investing appropriate powers in government as well.

It's time for the pendulum to swing back.