[annalex]

But Goldberg is factually right in the narrow sense of "freedom" as civil franchise, and it is clear from the quote itself.

I would agree with you that the growth in civil franchise has been more than offset by the increased role of government in all spheres. I would also agree that Goldberg's quote does nothing to allay the fear of big government, and in fact, the increased franchise had a side effect of contributing to the big government.

My point in making the original remark to you is that if you take the Goldberg paragraph completely out, the article makes sense.

[Captain Kirk]

Ah.....but the premise of the article is to assume a Pollyanna like view of the "American empire," hence the Goldberg quote. That entire premise is flawed as the story of the twentieth century indicates.