Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick (D) doesn’t believe the United States should be free. No, seriously, that’s what he told WTKK in response to a question about last weekend’s Glenn Beck rally.

Interviewer: Are you troubled it was there, where it was and when it was?

Patrick: Well, (unintelligible) it’s a free country. I wish it weren’t, but it’s a free country and you’ve got to respect that.

What? The governor of Massachusetts wishes this weren’t a free country? He wishes he were living in a country in which political dissent is crushed? Wow, that’s an interesting revelation.

You have to listen to the entire clip. The two radio commentators make great points about this being a Kinsleyan gaffe, or an incident in which a politician accidentally tells the truth.

If you point-black ask Patrick if he believes we shouldn’t be a free country, of course he’s going to say, “That’s absurd. I’m proud to live in a free country.” Any other answer to such a direct question would be political suicidal.

But start asking him about his specific policy positions.

Should Americans be allowed to eat what they want? Well, no, because certain foods have trans fats.

Should Americans be allowed to choose their own health insurance policies? Well, no, because government knows what’s best for your health.

Should Americans be allowed to drive the cars they want? Well, no, because some emit too much pollution.

Should Americans be able to plan for their own retirements without having money taken from their paychecks each week? Well, no, because Americans can’t be trusted to plan for their own futures.

Should parents be allowed to decide the course of their children’s educaton? Well, no, because they can’t be trusted to educate their children correctly.

The list goes on and on but you get my point. Liberals like Patrick talk up freedom when asked directly yet resort to government control of every aspect of life when asked specifics. Like the commentators said, it was a Kinsleyan gaffe.