The New Enlightenment

Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull

The American ideals of liberty and freedom were based on the principles of The Enlightenment. Thinkers such as John Locke, Sir Isaac Newton, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson influenced, and were influenced by it. The Enlightenment was based on reason, the scientific method, skepticism, and it rejected superstition. Classical liberalism grew out of The Enlightenment. 

Progressivism grew out of The Counter-Enlightenment (endarkenment?) movement. Following the tactics of Antonio Gramsci and Saul Alinsky, 'progressives' infiltrated the schools, the unions, the media, government bureaucracy, even churches, implementing the long march through the institutions. This long march started at the end of the 19th century and continued to the present time. Based on current cultural norms, I'd say the march is largely complete. 

We (classical liberals) have to go on the offensive. We have to stop playing defense. That's a losing proposition. I’m convinced of it. Glenn Beck is that, to some degree. Michael Savage is offensive, if not effective. But maybe he’s onto something. Even Rush Limbaugh is on the offensive a lot of the time.

Here's a video that illustrates what I mean by going on the offensive:

We need more of this, and it needs to be subversive. That's right, subversive. We are the new counterculture. We need to infiltrate the schools, the unions, and the media.

Remember: except for labor unions (which have always been counter-enlightenment, based on my reading of their objectives and tactics), the 'progressives' had to infiltrate once. Now, classical liberals have to infiltrate back. The first enlightenment is over. It's time to start The New Enlightenment.

The New Enlightenment would reject centralized government and the concomitant collectivism, conformity of thought, behavior, and outcomes, environmental superstition -- and instead demand more individual liberty, diversity of thought, creativity, initiative (and risk), and restore the scientific method and healthy skepticism to our culture. Freedom is risky, but tyranny is deadly. Give me liberty, or give me death! Let's roll!