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By Tim Baldwin
The direction of our state and nation is at times determined by people who refuse to vote for the “lesser evil” candidate – effectively causing the majority to be ruled by the minority. Do these protest voters realize what they are doing? The Founders used the lesser-evil principle in politics. James Madison said, “cool and candid people will … reflect, that … choice must always be made, if not of the lesser evil, at least of the GREATER, not the PERFECT, good.” Our political experience reveals the principle as true; ethics philosophers describe it as a duty of man; and our laws allow the “lesser evil” as a criminal defense. Yet protest voters demonize it. Ignoring what is required for a successful political movement – protest voters do not define the “unacceptable evils,” quantify how much “evil” is too great, and offer viable alternatives. Many of them politically isolate themselves and do nothing to improve the political parties. In effect, their protest does nothing to improve their agenda. Voting is a personal decision, but its effects are social. So, ethical voting requires more than individual preference of the “ideal” candidate. It requires that we prevent the greater evil from impacting society. All conservatives must get this if they expect to gain political momentum. |
By Joe Carbonari
It seems to me that an increasing number of votes are being cast on the basis of prevention rather than accomplishment. Because so many of us have lost faith in our political leadership, the thought that government involvement invariably worsens a situation rather than improving it has come to be a guiding concept. While obviously true in some instances, it is overly broad, simplistic, and self-defeating. The negativity and paranoia that has come to mark our politics is not to be associated with greatness, goodness, or a generally forward motion. It has led to distrust, dislike, and a paralyzing dysfunction. This is not healthy in a body politic. It is time that we start casting more responsible votes and stop allowing opportunistic, self-anointed “leaders” to get away with pandering to us through misleading slogans, slippery logic and shallow thinking. They should be ashamed of themselves, and they should be told so. They are not just talking foolishness. They are doing real harm. We are not a nation of fools, and we need not talk down to others or allow others to do so to us. That government is not best that governs least but rather the one that governs best with the least incursions on us. Let’s stop worrying so much about evil and start advancing good. |