The Torch of Liberty Shines

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty. This much we pledge—and more."

All senior citizens remember those stirring words from the inaugural address of President John F. Kennedy. In those days Democrats and liberals were sturdy advocates of America's responsibility to promote freedom around the world. Kennedy followed in the tradition of President Harry Truman who recognized the threat to freedom posed by communism and started the five decades long Cold War struggle with the Soviets. After the Vietnam debacle, the mantle of liberty passed to the Republicans and it was conservative President Ronald Reagan who drove the Soviet evil empire onto the "ash heap of history."

After the 9/11/01 attack on America, President George W. Bush picked up the torch of liberty and ran with it.

"Across the generations we have proclaimed the imperative of self-government, because no one is fit to be a master, and no one deserves to be a slave. Advancing these ideals is the mission that created our Nation. It is the honorable achievement of our fathers. Now it is the urgent requirement of our nation's security, and the calling of our time. So it is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world."

With these inspirational words from his second inaugural address, George Walker Bush reaffirmed our committment to universal liberty. Once again there is a confluence of America's vital interests and our deepest beliefs.

"The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands. The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world."

Now is the time for all Americans to unite with our President in support of our cherished and fundamental belief in freedom for all mankind.