What we term “Western liberalism” is not just a political statement dividing liberals from conservatives, but a moral framework which has been the basis of the Western ideal of human rights and self-governance. Based on the ancient Greek ideals of democracy, which although limiting itself to free men, citizens of the polis (the city), it still stood for the limits of power by a ruler.
These ideals are enshrined in our founding documents which again state that there are limits to the power of a ruler, in our case the executive. These Western ideals can be contrasted with those countries where rulers have no limits, the dictatorships in China or Russia, for example, without respect for international law.
The recent attacks and actions by our Executive are attacks on basic Western ideals and the very historical framework which have held us together for the last 250 years. These attacks are more than the petulance of a particular person but have been growing over a period of time, and they undermine the very moral foundation of our Nation. We need to reclaim the very ideals which set us into motion before it is too late.
Prayer for the Day
Searching for you, O God, in a time of uncertainty and turmoil,
Remove from us our fears of seemingly unbridled power;
Knowing our old answers flounder in a new complex world,
Help us to seek new answers to the undermining of law.
Grant us, we pray, the willingness to ask questions
And to reason together in the cause of justice.
In the name of the One who always asked questions,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
In 2026 the United States has entered into the most profound and searing debate about the moral foundation for America’s actions in the world since the end of the Cold War. Our nation’s debate on the moral foundation for American policy is beset by polarization, partisanship, and narrow economic and social interests.
Statement issued by Cardinals Cupich, McElroy, and Tobin
The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many... may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.
James Madison, Founder, Fourth President (1751-1836)
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from God comes my salvation.
God alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken.
Psalm 62: 1-2