I think Mr. Williams misses the point here. He comes close to identifying the nature of liberalism/socialism through some of his examples but his concluding statements are a little off-base. The key issue here is control. Those that believe in the collectivist dogma want to tell people what to do, where to go and how to act. And they have no qualms about using the force of government to accomplish their goals. Greed? Money is merely a means to this end. If they could accomplish their goals without spending a dime, I believe they would. Irresponsibility? Certainly, no one who advocates such programs wants to be held accountable for the "unintended" consequences of their actions. Create generation after generation of an illiterate, unproductive welfare class? Oh, but that's not what we intended! Disarm millions of law-abiding citizens to the benefit of the predators and criminally insane? Oh, but that's not what we intended! We won't say we're sorry and we won't change our minds. Irresponsible? Indeed! Ignorance? Most of those who support such ideas are ignorant. Ignorant of basic economics and the history and heritage of this country. However, the "leadership" is not unaware of these simple truths. They simply choose to ignore them in pursuit of their own political careers. More control. Irrational? Certainly, to those of us who have at least a basic understanding of the ideas upon which this country was founded, they might seem irrational. But when you understand the motivation behind such actions, they make perfect sense. If control over other people were my goal, I would follow exactly the path chosen by the "leadership" of the left. First, I would transform the public school system from an institution dedicated the transfer of knowledge and development of critical thinking to one based on developing "self-esteem" and "diversity". An uneducated and unthinking electorate will vote for anything or anyone. Next, I would try to instill as much class envy as possible. I would imply that no one really earns their wealth. Just that some are "luckier in life's lottery" than others. Since, effort and ability have nothing to do economic success, we'll just even things up by taking from the rich to give to the poor. Since those of modest means will always far out number those with greater wealth, an electorate bought and paid for is created. Lastly, I would declare every problem in the country a "crisis" or an "emergency" requiring federal intervention, no matter how small or local the problem might be. Sugar prices too low? Subsidies and tariffs should cure that problem. Inner city schools have leaky roofs and graduates that can't read? Apparently, $6000 a year per student isn't enough. Let's make it $8000 and see if Johnny can read his diploma. Floods in Texas? Hurricanes in Florida? Break out the federal checkbook and make it all better. It's all about control.