When we were kids, we would contrive terrible choice situations and then ask “Which would you rather?” For example, “Would you rather be buried up to your neck in a hill of man-eating African army ants or stand 10 miles away from ground zero of a nuclear explosion?”
Underlying that kind of “lose-lose” scenario is the assumption that you are going to lose; your only choice is how you lose. Our current political/cultural conflicts remind me of that game.
Do you want to be controlled and manipulated by an intolerant “liberal” or by an intolerant “conservative”? Who says I want to be controlled and manipulated? Is that my only choice?
I’m growing weary of: “If you think I’m bad, look at …” Or, “I may be a terrible person, but let’s talk about. …”
Or, “I may promote unrestrained greed and bullying, but those guys want to kill babies and take away your freedom to act on conscience.”
Or, one final example, “Would you rather the government take all your money or predatory ‘businesses’?”
I’m ready to be free from these “lesser of two evils” choices and start choosing between greater goods. Don’t agree with me, help me.
Lee Brinton, Murray
Donate to the newsroom now. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax deductible