William O. Douglas served on the Supreme Court longer than any other justice. He was one of the most liberal justices ever to take the bench. He can serve as the benchmark of what an American liberal is supposed to be. The quotes found in my blog entry “Never Forget” are all his. 

I used Douglas’s quotes because they illustrate the “bait and switch” that is perpetrated by modern day liberals and the media. The term liberal, as it is used by them, is designed to trigger visions of Douglas, McGovern, and Humphrey. The reality is that the classic American liberal, bears no resemblance to the modern day version. 

What has emerged and is current in left leaning politics of the day is a combination of communist and socialist ideals held together by the worst that fascism has to offer. The promise that the individual has the “right to be left alone,” has been replaced by the collective good. 

The thought police would run William O. Douglas out of town on a rail. The only thing he shares with modern day progressives is his abuse of women and coworkers, excessive use of alcohol, and knee jerk reactions reflected in many of his opinions. Those reactions may have been on point. Unfortunately, Douglas almost never applied himself to provide a meaningful record that could be used by others.

There are no classic American liberals anymore. They died off with Douglas, McGovern and Humphrey.