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Idealism In The Real World

By Theresa Fritz Camoriano

Idealism is a wonderful thing, but the world is not an ideal place.  Instead, it is full of flawed people and flawed institutions.  In a few days, we will have an election in which all the candidates will be flawed people.  We all wish we had better choices, but we don’t.  In the case of the Presidential race, either George Bush or John Kerry will be elected.  If we don’t think one of those candidates is better than the other and we don’t care which one wins, then it doesn’t matter if we sit out the election or vote for a third party candidate.  However, if we do have a preference between those two candidates, who are the only people who stand a chance of actually being elected, then we ought to express that preference by voting in the only poll that really counts.

George Bush and John Kerry represent two very different visions of the world.  They will pursue very different domestic and foreign policies.  They also will nominate very different types of judges.  While, fortunately, neither man will have free rein if he is elected President, he still will be quite powerful, and it definitely will matter to Americans and others around the world which man is elected.

Regardless of who is elected, we have our work cut out for us to educate our fellow citizens as to the real effects of government policies.  We need people to understand how raising the minimum wage harms unskilled workers, how rent controls and “smart growth” cause housing shortages, and how socialized medicine and socialized education cause tremendous hardship and suffering.  If people understood the real nature and results of government policies, they would demand better policies and would be far less susceptible to being influenced by a few televised sound bites.  If those of us who understand what is happening do not participate in the election and do not strive to educate ourselves and those in our circle of influence, then we will be part of the problem. Ideas matter.  So do actions.

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