Discussion Group Report

"Humanism and the Paradox of Politics," written by Michael C. Milam, published in the November-December, 1995, issue of The Humanist was the subject of our February meeting. The group made the following observations:

Thomas Jefferson favored a weak central government, power in the hands of individuals, and strong states' rights. Alexander Hamilton, on the other hand, did not have much faith in the people; he favored a strong central government. The Greek Way by George Hamilton sheds light on the question posed by the conflicting views of Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. This book concerns Athens, democracy, and freedom for the individual. Humanists who are thoughtful and serious about this question face the dilemma of wanting the downtrodden, the disenfranchised, and the minorities to have equal opportunities, but they see it happening only through a strong government. There is a conflict in our minds as to what we really favor, a rugged individualism or a central government that forces equality.

Must this question boil down to an either/or solution, or can there be a combination of both alternatives? Actually an admixture of the alternatives seems to be what the American philosophy of government really boils down to. This blending has made our country strong. However, it is discouraging to see the massive debt the government has incurred. It is important to note that other advanced industrial governments have also incurred large debts, some in even greater proportion to their populations.

Milam indicates humanists ought to be the Socratic voice; we ought to be asking questions rather than answering them. While we can agree with that approach, we should also recognize that this proposition might be the easy way out. Instead of getting involved in the nitty-gritty and making things happen, we just sit back and ask questions. There needs to be a balance.

There seems to be a prevalent tendency to want rights, freedoms, and choices but not to accept the responsibility and the consequences. People do not want to pay taxes, but they expect government services. Because of the national debt, a large portion of our taxes go towards interest on the debt. The problem is complicated by the fact that the government juggles some of the money around, using funds earmarked for one service to pay for another.

We might ask ourselves, "What would the situation be like if the country were run just according to the prevailing conservative political philosophy in Utah?" The answer is frightening: theocracy might be the modus operandi. The dominant belief system does not deal with reality; there is a lack of understanding or even awareness of the larger problems of society. One of the most logical, reasonable, and practical things the Utah culture could do would be to establish day care centers in LDS ward houses, where the children in families in which both parents work could be safe, warm and in their own neighborhoods. The downside of this proposal is placing all of these children so directly under Mormon influence for so much time.