An anecdote about the book and an editorial on President Clinton's legacy...
On July 8, 1999, John McCaslin of the Washington Times mentioned an amusing incident that occurred during preparation of Cliches of Liberalism. With Mr. McCaslin's approval, we have included the segment of his "Inside the Beltway" column that dealt with the book.

AMERICA IS AT WAR! In fact, America is under attack from two fronts, both aimed at our culture and our way of life. The most obvious war is with the terrorists of the world who brought us the events of September 11, 2001. The second war is being conducted by America's leftist radicals who have hijacked the term liberal, which---in classical literature---describes the individualistic, free-enterprise oriented philosophy of men such as John Locke, Thomas Jefferson and Adam Smith. As the presidential election of November 2008 approaches, the voices of America's liberal elite will become increasingly shrill and self righteous. This book will help immunize rational thinkers by exposing liberals' catch phrases that reveal their continuing drive toward a socialist, egalitarian society.

Often with humor and always with insight, Dr. Wilcox analyzes and explains the true meaning of popular liberal cliches and sound bites that substitute for meaningful political discussion. In addition to explaining common liberal cliches, the book provides rational arguments refuting their ideas.

Benefits of reading this book...

• It gives the reader an outstanding source of intellectual ammunition to help expose leftist illogic (as the product of an accomplished research scientist, it is thoroughly researched, documented, accurate and logical)
• It gives the reader an excellent overview of American government and its philosophical roots
• It gives the reader an excellent primer on central aspects of capitalism and socialism
• It gives the reader accurate statistics on crime, deficits, military spending, civilian deaths due to communism, etc.---sources included

The book begins with an overview of political trends in the Post World War II era, highlighting key issues and differences separating conservatives and liberals. The balance of the book consists of 10 essays focusing on political philosophy, economics and individual liberty as follows...

• Political Philosophy
  
  
  • Right-Wing Extremists. A discussion of political spectra and a critical review of the definitions of conservative, liberal, communism and fascism. The essay highlights the libertarian model of the political spectrum, which is a vast improvement over the feckless models used in typical political science and civics classes.
  • There is no Black or White, Just Many Shades of Gray. Discussion of the origins of Western philosophy, illustrating how the clash between Platonists and Aristotelians has dominated Western thought for more than 2000 years. The essay describes the liberal's anti-reason, anti-logic, anti-absolute philosophy of choice---pragmatism.
  • Our Children, Our Values. An explanation of how politicians use our own values against us with classical "bait-and-switch" and "sting" techniques. As an example, President Clinton actually justified going to war against Yugoslavia in the name of "our children" and "our values."
    
    
• Economics
  
  
  • From Each According to his Ability, to Each According to His Need. Although this Marxist phrase is rarely used, it has reappeared in synonymous phrases such as "graduated income tax," "surtax on the rich," "level the playing field" and "equality of income." The analysis of this essay leads to discussion of the flat tax and the national sales tax.
  • Monopolies are Inevitable in a Free, Unregulated Economy. This Marxist phrase is analyzed in a historical review of monopoly formation in America. The essay explains what Alan Greenspan meant when he said "The world of antitrust is reminiscent of Alice's Wonderland."
  • Money is the Root of All Evil. This biblical quote is often used to condemn wealthy people. The essay demonstrates that those who do the condemning generally advocate the two primary evil practices that are possible relating to money!
  • We Must Find a Way to Pay for Tax Cuts. This essay examines the three times in the 20th century that presidents (Coolidge, Kennedy and Reagan) have dramatically reduced the maximum marginal tax rate. In all three instances, total tax revenues have increased and the tax burden has been shifted from the lower and middle classes to the wealthy. Comparison of three 8-year peacetime expansions (1921-1928, 1983-1990 and 1991-1998) contrast the effects of tax cuts (Coolidge, Reagan) with tax increases (Bush, Clinton).
    
    
• Individual Liberty
  
  
  • The Divine Right of the King. This cliche is never used in public. Rather, alternative forms such as "sex lies don't rise to the level of impeachment" and "everybody does it" are used---but amount to the same thing. In depth analysis shows how the Senate's acquittal of President Clinton raises serious questions about the future of the American Republic.
  • The Problem is Hate Radio. This essay assesses the current status of The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and how liberals' credentials as defenders of free speech become "curiouser and curiouser" all the time.
  • We Must Save the Neighborhood From People Who Would Paint Their House Purple. The concluding essay examines a little known threat to individual liberty, the ominous growth of Homeowner Associations (HOAs) and the petty "dictators" they produce and encourage. Their lobby in Washington, DC is so powerful that they are on an equal footing with the IRS and mortgage holders for homeowners who declare bankruptcy! You will learn how "a HOA is fertile ground for the seeds of injustice, and lawyers are the fertilizer."