When columnist and professor Walter Williams, a right-wing scholar, sails on the Crystal Serenity from Venice to Athens, in the lap of luxury provided by some of America’s biggest corporations, and speaks of economic liberty, his words diminish our freedom but increases the freedom of Big Business.

His melodrama is so perfumed with pathos, it stinks! His depiction of our Constitution, the Founding Fathers and government makes George W. Bush’s scars look like movie makeup.

If the New Deal, the Great Society and Bush’s decision to shelve capitalism have just about destroyed the government outlined by our Founders in the Constitution, as Williams claims, why haven’t we reverted to Friedrick Hayek’s “serfdom” or William’s “tyranny”? Answer — Because what has happened is a “natural” thing. That is, to use Thomas Jefferson’s words, “The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground.” That’s natural. Expansive government does not teach disrespect for the rights of others, as Williams claims. That’s malarkey.

How many readers believe we all are in possession of equal and inalienable natural rights, as Williams claims? I argue that money impacts our natural rights and renders them most unequal.

Our Founders took their jug to the well of John Locke to be filled — not to that of David Hume (that Williams quoted). Hume lost the debate! Locke influenced the Declaration and Constitution, not Hume!

Bill J. Paschal

Muncie