MLK and values in liberal politics

[Inland]

Just a thought on MLK day on the use of values in politics.

King was a perfect example of the application of values systems to a liberal end. When King invoked values, it wasn't a shorthand for this position good, that position bad.

The most cursory examination of his speeches and writings show a wholistic approach, a values system, that he could claim was universal and useful in all approaches.

King's values system, while used for a liberal approach, was not an invention of the times. Rather it was based on one of the two greatest commandments of Christianity and the Declaration of Independence. Its approach was systematic, and could be used for a liberal solution for race problems or the idiocy of Vietnam.

That is not to say that the segregationists did not have values. They did. They too had a values system, but in the end, King's appeal prevailed. I believe it prevailed because it was more firmly grounded in what Americans wanted for themselves, wanted for society, than what the segregationists wanted. It wasn't preordained. It wasn't decided without a fight against some and patient persuasion of others. And it isn't as if there aren't significant rearguard actions continuing to today with our brethren in the Republican Party. But in the end, we decided we would live as if all men were created equal, and that we would do to others as we would have done to ourselves.

So when the conservatives claim values, remember that, first, some values are better than others, and second, the best values are the simple statements made by the poets of our nation, Americans, like Jefferson, Madison, Lincoln, and Dr. King when they were moved by their better nature. Not with those who tell us that only in evil, selfishness and throwing others overboard can the US survive. Not with those who tell us that we are the "good guys" and justified doing terrible things to innocents abroad and at home. With the values of our forefathers growing as we make a more perfect union, the liberals and the US wins.