Watch out for those labels

By Keith W. Kimmel

Who is conservative, and who is liberal?

Recently, David Limbaugh had a column in the Southeast Missourian demeaning John McCain on his being too liberal to be calling himself a Ronald Reagan conservative.

All Republicans seem to want to classify Reagan as the very icon of conservatism and all the virtues related thereto. I am left to ponder just what this classification means and how it compares with "liberal" and how Reagan measure up in both categories.

Before anyone considers me a Reagan-basher or a leftist Democrat, let me assert that I voted for him twice.

Reagan did several great accomplishments in his eight years as president. But there is one major black mark on his legacy, in my opinion: He introduced our nation to the multitrillion-dollar debt, hardly a component of conservatism.

And subsequent conservative Republican presidents, through irresponsible tax cuts and budget outlays, have brought this national debt up to $9 trillion. This figure breaks down to approximately $30,000 for every person on the face of the earth. Is that conservatism?

To my thinking, this national debt is the most significant problem facing this country and the future generations who will be shackled with it, a problem that could lead to the downfall of our great nation.

Maybe we should discuss those terrible liberals.

I am reminded of a couple of those extremely liberal presidents. At least they were accused of this great sin.

I'm talking about John F. Kennedy and the one more recently accused of all sorts of evil, Bill Clinton.

From the information I have been able to garner, these two are the last presidents to give this country a balanced budget. Clinton was even making significant payments on our national debt.

However, Clinton was replaced by a conservative Republican who has added an additional $5 trillion for our future generations to amortize.

Perhaps there is someone who can enlighten me on the definitions and distinction between "liberal" and "conservative," which seem to be characterizing and providing a label for the various candidates in our coming elections.

May God bless our country in spite of our foolish ways.

Keith W. Kimmel is a resident of Advance, Mo.