Published 7/26/2019, West Milford Messenger
Donald Trump's latest comments directed at congresswomen he doesn't like ("go back to where you came from") puts me in mind of remarks made by politicians of the past.
I'm old enough to remember Richard Nixon, his Vice President Spiro Agnew, and Alabama Gov. George Wallace saying similar things about anti-Vietnam War protesters and college students in the late 1960's and early 1970's when I had just started high school.
Back then the slogan against dissent was "America, love it or leave it."
The so-called conservatives of that era were hostile towards free speech in much the same way the so-called liberal progressives of today are.
In truth, both the left and the right in American politics really don't like the Bill of Rights at all.
They never seem to tire of ways to undermine individual liberty, regardless of whether you're talking about free speech, gun ownership,, control over your own life and body, or your property.
In their view, people just can't be trusted to make their own choices in life.
We libertarians totally disagree with that worldview.
We defend the rights of all people, on all issues, all of the time, without exception.
No other group can make that claim.
Isn't it time people stop allowing themselves to be conned by political charlatans regardless if its Trump, or any of his potential challengers next year.
Mark Richards
West Milford