Hmm, interesting point. I think "right" as defined by the founding fathers is most definitely what *made* the US a great country, but I think that's been distorted over the years, and not for the best. In some ways the spirit has been weakened, which is probably what you're referring by the "slow creep left", and in some ways it's been strengthened, but in all ways distorted. (does that make any sense?
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My knowledge of American history is simply not good enough to agree or disagree with your reference to past leftist governments, nor to argue the finer points of the media references you made above. Suffice it to say that when I look at my own country's historical governments, there is no clear divide between liberal and conservate when determining who the good ones were. There have been plenty of good and bad liberal and conservative governments.