BE OUR GUEST: THOSE LEFT-WING CONSERVATIEVES: MOST ADOPT LIBERAL AGENDA

The common stereotype of the American conservative is one of fiscal responsibility and defender of the status quo. What conservatives really do best is criticize liberals and move to the political left. After they embrace the leftist ideology, they defend the new order as though it was their own. History provides many examples of conservative capitulation to liberal ideology.

The first early radical colonist in the early 1700s who insisted that we ought to be a free and independent nation was subjected to scorn and ridicule by the establishment of the times. It was not the cautious conservatives who stood with and applauded Patrick Henry when he demanded, "Give me liberty or give me death." A conservative's name does not appear on the Declaration of Independence. Those men who signed their names were firebrand liberals declaring the status quo was no longer tolerable. Many conservatives, unwilling to change, created the first exodus to Canada, rather than be a part of those radical times. Those who stayed adjusted to the new order. Their political offspring have now convinced themselves and believe they are the only true American patriots. A few on the lunatic fringe even editorialize that liberals hate America.

The greatest historical accomplishment of the nation has been the extension of civil liberties and social justice to its citizens. Liberals took the lead. Conservatives established roadblocks, which only delayed the final outcome.

In 1837, the women's suffrage movement started when two sisters, Angelina and Sara Grimke, while on an anti-slavery speaking tour, advocated women's rights. Over the years, the movement gained momentum with several left-wing, third political parties calling for voting rights for women in their party platform. Although history doesn't record it, (not even a footnote), there may have been a pudgy, loud-mouthed critic who coined uncomplimentary names for those good women who only wanted the right to cast ballots. After a lengthy struggle, conservatives moved to the left, and by 1920 women could vote. The world didn't stop, and America moved closer to real democracy. Many conservatives still oppose equal pay, equal status or a woman holding the office of president. Eventually these roadblocks will tumble and they will move to the left and embrace the liberal ideology. In reality, a family can now look upon a new daughter or granddaughter and say, "She might grow up to be president of the United States."

The shame of American history is the treatment of some of its citizens solely on the color of their skin. For years the civil rights movement failed to draw much attention. The American movement failed to draw much attention. The American conservative fought long and hard to retain the traditional social order. The movement was supported only by Americans who dared take a stand. Most Americans never thought there was a problem. National attention came about for many citizens at the 1948 Democratic Party Convention. Approved by President Truman, (the same Truman conservatives now praise) the party platform called for an end to racial segregation. The conservatives bolted the party. A new conservative party (the State Rights Party) was formed to oppose civil rights for millions of Americans. Their presidential candidate, Strom Thurmond, is still a member of the U.S. Senate. Today he proudly considers himself a conservative. He has been joined by a new generation of conservative congressmen whose views are tied much too closely with the past. The issue of civil rights exploded on the American scene in the 1950s and 1960s. Traditional mores began to change. Much has been accomplished over the past 30 to 40 years. Some day complete social justice will be a reality in America.

No issues draw more criticism from conservatives than government social programs. They are quick to discredit and oppose any new programs. However, after a period of time they move to the left. An editorial by a conservative columnist (printed by the Southeast Missourian) conceded that over the years liberals have done some good. He gives liberals credit for child labor laws, anti-trust legislation, Social Security, Medicare and Great Society programs. He is correct. He did not point out that all were opposed by the conservatives of the time. He also failed to specify just what conservatives have enacted. But conservatives have shifted to the left. Let anyone propose cuts in Social Security and conservatives are like an old mother hen protecting her chick. That chick is not their offspring. They did not lay the egg or even hatch it.

During the 1950s, conservatives were busy ferreting imaginary communists out of the government and trying to decide if New Deal social programs should be dismantled. The liberal agenda appeared quite modest. They included civil rights legislation, early opposition to the Vietnam War, federal aid to education, anti-poverty programs and a national health program. Today conservatives have now embraced most of that liberal agenda. National health insurance has not been enacted, but conservatives are now in the process of falling in the ranks. Like good soldiers, they are hearing the command: "Left face! Forward march!"

Too often when conservatives finally embrace the liberal concept their policy becomes a pitiful "me too but not as much!" This is a safe-no-risk stand. Even if there is only a perception of a minor flaw in the final product, the conservatives are quick to ridicule but share none of the blame. They have the best of both worlds.

It is the American liberals who are the risk takers and innovators of new ideas for solutions to America's problems. Their accomplishments are America's historical legacy.

How do conservatives explain their historical legacy? They do what conservatives do best: they ridicule, discredit and blame those biased, liberal historians.

Paul J. Allee of Jackson is a former teacher who retired after a 24-year career with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.