Through the Eyes of a Concerned Liberal

Through the Eyes of a Concerned Liberal argues that the socio-political position of liberalism is the only one that can get us back on course toward the now-vanishing "e;enlightenment ideal"e;. This was the vision of the "e;founding fathers,"e; looking to a time when all of the conditions of life--social, political, moral, and intellectual, as well as material--would be realized for everyone--the "e;American dream."e;Taking a hard look at the present social-political situation in North America, Dr. Zeigler offers a self-evaluation test for the reader to determine his/her socio-political=political stance on a spectrum (from far right to far left). (Other "e;tests"e; serve to evaluate, respectively, both one's philosophy of life and/or religion and recreational quotient "e;RQ"e;.) The United States, the author asserts, simply does not appreciate that its current "e;imperial"e; status will be sorely tried in the 21st century.The U.S.A. must now prove that its brand of capitalism and democracy, one that purports to offer a maximum of individual freedom within a democratic political system, is the best approach for the entire world to emulate. However, capitalism and ecology have become social forces on a collision course in this evolving cultural matrix. The individual citizen in this setting must be fully informed and must serve actively and responsibly to implement a liberal agenda.The author offers 49 short essays, columns, and self evaluation devices that reflect his position. In the final analysis, each person should choose a life purpose based on (1) a comprehensive philosophy of life, (2) a concurring, socio-political stance, and (3) a search for "e;the good life"e; in a hopefully free society.