The lesser of two evils should be the exception, not the rule.
By David Ficarri
-Diversions with Dave-
Surveying the political landscape as the 2020 elections have gone and past, it’s not difficult to see where most people’s loyalty lies. From the local precincts to the highest office in the land, this election year has been quite the spectacle and mostly in a negative way.
This year more than any, the divide is Grand Canyon-esque, but the reality is, politics often comes down to a “lesser of two evils.. One could argue that the lesser of two evils is still evil, but I’m going to add a different twist to this all. I call it the “evil of two lessers.”
Especially in our Presidential elections, we’ve come to vote against a particular candidate as opposed to voting for the person we feel is most qualified. That mindset, however, isn’t exclusive to that seat though.
The question is, how did we reach this point?
Think about it. Pick any industry and think about how there is a race to the top to make things better. Apple and Samsung spend years, money and all their energy trying to bring you the best product. Think about the medical advances we’ve had in just the last decade alone.
The car industry, tech industry, and food industry all are trying to make our lives as simple and enjoyable as possible. The list is virtually endless, except when it comes to politics. Ask yourself this question. What exactly am I getting for my money? Then ask, what does the government do more effectively and efficiently than the private sector does?
In the private sector, they race to the top. When it comes to government, however, it’s a race to the bottom. Why are we so accepting of this concept, though?
If you hired a plumber to fix your sink and they don’t, you’ll search for someone who does the job better next time or hopefully do your research prior to hiring that plumber initially.
Well, my friends, these pipes have been leaking for far too long now.
If we’re trying to hit the reset button on everything else this year, can we at least start demanding accountability, transparency and expediency from our “leaders”?
The lesser of two evils should be the exception, not the rule. I don’t like to paint with such a broad brush because I know there are many well-meaning and dedicated people who sacrifice a lot to try to make a positive difference for us all. Unfortunately, those same people are the ones who get marginalized and cast aside in the political machine.
The pipes are breaking and the infrastructure is crumbling, what kind of person do you want to fix them, the one that gives you the best service and product for your money or the one that rarely delivers. Unfortunately, the race to a better society is going in the wrong direction with both sides claiming moral superiority. I see that as just another trap.
If you keep trying to plant your flag on that moral high ground, you better hope it’s not quicksand. We can do better. We must do better, but the only way we will get better is if we stop settling for the lesser of two evils.