In his Inaugural address today, President Bush made a familiar-sounding pronouncement:
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.
Why does this sound familiar? Because it echoes the post-WWII communist ideal of global expansion. The “reds” believed that one nation after another would capitulate to communist rule. Decades later they undoubtedly shook their heads in disillusionment as the Soviet bloc crumbled.
The difference? The democratic impulse is right. It is not perfect, mind you—but it is right. This concept is quite obvious, of course, but I think some in our society need to be reminded of that. Let freedom ring!