Tory Historian admires Daniel P. Moynihan for many reasons, not least for being the sort of Democrat that seems to be extinct now. This quotation that dates back to 1969 merely confirms that.
Somehow liberals have been unable to acquire from life what conservatives seem to be endowed with at birth: namely, a healthy skepticism of the powers of government agencies to do good.Of course, he uses the word "liberal" in the modern American sense. A true old-fashioned liberal has a very healthy skepticism of anything to do with government, particularly its claims to do good.
I miss the old bird. Rarely agreed with him but he was right on this one. I can't think of a single Democrat today who is as reasonable and far sighted as old Daniel Patrick. Our government can not exist without input from both liberals and capitalists. Dan was a good spokesman for the liberals.
Conservative old Bump
Those were the days when there were many reasonable Democrats at least when it came to foreign affairs. Scoop Jackson was another one.