Philanthropy, Freedom, and Public Policy

Lenore Ealy takes the up the role of "token Conservative," in the mold of Milton's Areopagitica. Environmental regulation, taxes, and welfare are against human dignity, since they coerce from the modern Adam and Eve what must be given freely, else not at all, if virtue and responsibility are to be served. Wish I could bring myself to see this as reason allied with virtue, as opposed to reason hired by big business and wealthy conservatives via philanthropic intermediaries, like Heritage and Donors Trust. The ideology of an elite, who hire a clerisy in their own defense. Still, anyone who quotes Milton in defense of freedom, particularly the freedoms of speech and assembly, and in defense of political liberty, has my support in the face of the Patriot Act and the like. Philanthropy/lobbying and Public Policy, that too would be an interesting theme for debate. I am very pleased to see Lenore use a blog to present her views. We very much need dialogue among citizens these days, rather than polemic and counter-polemic from hireling intellectuals. I look forward to losing many an argument with Lenore, all in a good cause - political liberty, and the defense of freedom against tryanny, for which defense Milton is a superb model. Thanks, Lenore, for blogging your views, and thank you for coming to the Chicago event; you are a great addition to the conversation.