Before the ink was dry on the Declaration of Independence the Founders were faced with the question of what kind of country this new USA would be. Some wanted a nation based on the English model: A ruling class makes the decisions and runs things. Others, such as Washington and Jefferson, wanted to try a new form called Liberal Democracy. In this form the term "Liberal" meant that all power resided with the People who create Government to protect the inherent rights of individuals in the society.

This idea is all through the Declaration of Independence and especially in the Constitution. It is all about free speech, freedom of religion, justice for all, freedom from search and seizure, protection of "due process of law," etc. (Read the Bill of Rights.)

On the other hand the Conservatives wanted power in the hands of a ruling class to prevent "mob rule." This tension has resurfaced again and again in our history, but really came to a head during the Industrial Revolution. With so much economic and political power in the hands of a few, the lives of the many became more miserable and a great social upheaval ensued. The choices seemed at the time to be a kind of Corporate Police State (as evolved in Germany) or Socialism as evolved in other parts of Europe.

Fortunately for America a third alternative appeared, which looked beyond the Conservative/Liberal divide, namely Progressivism. The basic ideas of Progressivism are (Partial List):

1. Improve democracy though Initiative, Recall, and clean up of government corruption.

2. Improve efficiency by eliminating overlaps and employ professionals. (Civil Service.)

3. Keep Capitalism but regulate large businesses and corporations to keep their power from harming society.

4. Social Justice-Child Labor laws, support for organized labor.

5. Environmentalism-The largest conservation projects ever were founded by T. Roosevelt.

These ideas guided the administrations from T. Roosevelt through Taft and Wilson to F. Roosevelt-some were Democrats and some were Republicans. Since both parties sought the Progressive vote, Conservatives as well as Liberals claimed many of these progressive ideas, at least until the Reagan administration.

Many economists believe that the rise of unions and regulation of corporations were the instruments that saved us from both Socialism and Corporatism at this time.

While I find Liberalism and Progressivism to be complementary, they are not the same thing as asserted by Ralph Nichols in his "Comment" article appearing in the Oct. 10 Times/News.

Why don't people call themselves Liberals anymore? For the same reason most heterosexuals don't call themselves "Gay" when they are feeling happy. The meaning of the word has changed. The right wing has vilified the term "liberal" and bent it way beyond its original noble meaning.

On the other hand, since Reagan, "Conservatives" have more or less reverted back to the values of the 1700s and still want to run the country to benefit a small percentage of the very powerful, and as we have seen in the current administration, without too much regard for the Constitution.

Tom Spohn

Burien