Comments on: Pragmatism vs. Idealism

By: Makenna

Makenna — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:42:07 +0000

Thank you!
I am homeschooled, compete in Lincoln-Douglas debate, and the topic this year is “When in conflict, Idealism should be valued over Pragmatism.” It is amazingly hard to find examples of this, so thank you! Please vote though, it does make a difference in the country. I’m very thankful you are pro-life but please vote! the politicians we elect decide what is to be legal and what won’t. it may not seem to make a difference. When you think about it if murder was legal would less or more people kill? abortion is the same thing. electing pro-life candadates will change things. yes it won’t elliminate it completly, because voting is only a small part, the rest happens in conversation, speaking out, and praying. if you want I’m writing a six page double spaced speech about abortion, I can email it to you. Thanks again!

By: Sarah Caldwell

Sarah Caldwell — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:15:57 +0000

Hi,

I came to your site from kiva.org and was entranced to see you are a donorschoose.org supporter, too.

Your insight into the contradictions between pragmatism and principle are keen. Our difference is that I really believe in the infinite depravity of man and that the governments are instituted of God to limit some of that depravity. I believe that, as Christians, we are called to cooperate when conscience doesn’t call us otherwise and to support their godly functions as outlined in the New Testament, not to seek to throw off government entirely.

I’m actually familiar with Bob Barr and believe that libertarians are naive to the point of dangerous. They believe in freedom for the individual, but, if the country/state/town doesn’t make the rules people play by, then each individual either plays according to his/her own rules or–and this is what libertarians don’t seem to see–an inordinate amount of time (civil court time) must be spent adjudicating rights. Is it, in fact, my right to build a large building on my property if it shades my neighbor’s vegetable garden or solar panels? The ground is mine; but are the sunlight and air that pass over my ground mine? Suppose I build a copper smelter or establish a factory style pig farm?

Libertarians will not ban abortions or even work, as the new Democratic platform, the 95-10 Plan, reduce by 95% the number of abortions within 10 years by improving availability of contraception and the circumstances pregnant women face. Did you know that 60% of abortions are performed on women with at least one child at home? What about that child’s life makes the thought of having another undesirable? Would abolishing welfare, food stamps, the WIC program, the requirement that hospitals provide care to the indigent, laws prohibiting discriminating against pregnant women and parents make it more or less likely for women to choose abortion?

By: Virginia

Virginia — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 00:55:01 +0000

Good points…I have some of the same conflicts. (and I’ve never heard of Bob Barr either) I tend to side more with the idealistic view. In many cases our state representatives can make a difference in moral issues such as abortion (parental notification, banning partial birth abortion, etc.). In the presidential election, the sitting president selects Supreme Court Justices and that’s where the changes will be won or lost. Unfortunately, many times it comes down to choosing a candidate based on many differing issues– in many cases having to choose the lesser of two evils. Wherever possible I’m siding with the “do the right thing” vote (as long as the candidate has a chance!)