The foundation of our government is classical liberalism. It is unfortunate that many Americans have not seriously studied American history and government. If all citizens understood the complex and truly unique origins of our political system, it would be much harder for groups who preach false doctrine to gain power. Whether by ignorance or calculation, their mislabeling and re-inventing of our republic's beginnings are injurious to all who hold liberty dear. The ideals that fueled the fires of freedom throughout the thirteen colonies, and led to declaring and winning independence from England, are liberal.
Liberalism is the taproot from which our republic sprung.
The strength of liberalism lies in its essential truths. A perfect example is the 2000 Presidential election. Liberalism is not easily defined. Nor is it uni-dimensional or static. Locke is often credited for founding classical liberalism.