A man called "a national treasure" by President George W. Bush, popular talk show host Rush Hudson Limbaugh III (1951-) was born on this day in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

"Even though being right is a habit with me, I still get jazzed when I am right," he once said.

Rarely modest and always outspoken, Limbaugh observed, "Liberalism is predicated on pessimism. There is no such thing as an optimistic liberal, just like there's no such thing as a happy journalist."

Ouch. (I beg to disagree, Rush.)

Whether targeting "the liberal elite" or "feminazis," the articulate Limbaugh has made us listen, laugh, and think for about 25 years. His three-hour radio show, his "Broadcast Excellence," can be heard on over 650 stations, with a weekly audience of over 20 million "Dittoheads."

He's also the highest paid in radio syndication. His contract with the Premiere Radio Network, signed in 2001, pays him a reported $250 million through the year 2009.

"Really think hard about what you want to do," the "Dr. of Democracy" advised. "Because when you're doing what you want to do is probably when you'll be doing your best. And pray it's not a hobby so they'll pay you for it."

In 2001, the controversial dynamo really shocked the world when he announced that he was going deaf because of an autoimmune inner-ear disease. A subsequent ear implant partially restored his hearing.

He remained gracious and upbeat about the experience: "I was just constantly thankful ... for the era in which I was born because that is what has made this all possible. That and the freedom we all have as Americans to invent and create and explore all these medical marvels."

Keep marching, true to your beliefs.