Idealism: The Soul of America

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By Paul Lehto (about the author) Page 1 of 3 page(s)

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The subject of "realism" in politics is fascinating, because for one thing the mere mention of "realism" often causes people to sell out their ideals, usually for absolutely nothing. In such a case, "realism" is in fact a fraud and a rip-off in which one hands over one's most precious ideals, whatever those may be, and exchanges them for precisely nothing. In some cases, these ideals come straight out of the Constitution or Declaration of Independence and get this ignominious treatment by the forces of so-called "realism."

If you're concerned that following my critique of realism means that you'll somehow lose touch with the practical aspects, fear not: There surely is an important place in politics for balanced and nuanced assessments of a pragmatic and utilitarian nature. But, when one's most important ideals are involved, like the ideals a country's Constitution is based on, or around which one organizes one's most important life concepts and life values, then other more important considerations come into play with sacred ideals invoked.

I wrote the original version of this essay around Thanksgiving 2006 as a way to be thankful for the ideals of the men and women who founded this country, even as I was only able to sit up in my hospital bed for the first time in days. Asked once if I wished to see a chaplain, I realized then that at the most desperate moments we are in ever more need of checking in with our most profound ideals, and using them as our guides.

When it comes to our country, the ideals of the Founders were so bold and visionary that we are still working on some of them, like Thomas Paine's ideal of no disenfranchisement of the right to vote, ever, or for any reason, except for trying to take away the vote of others.

Even if we never fully accomplish our ideals, they are nevertheless critically important because they are the guide-stars that orient our lives, and without them we would truly get lost and might well simply stay lost. In fact, we use ideals constantly, whether we acknowledge it or not. Thus, in the area of our most precious freedoms, we should be on guard for the unintended effects of "realism" which may cause us to trash our ethical guide-stars, at moments when they are most needed: at any important moment in our personal lives or the life of our country. Far from being "unrealistic" the ideals of freedom, liberty, equality, opportunity, compassion and human rights are indeed the soul of America. America is well known as the first country founded solely on ideas. Indeed, "America has never forgotten -" and will never forget -" the nobler things that brought her into being and that light her path." -- Bernard Mannes Baruch (1870-1965)

This notion is broadly shared by all Americans of all parties: at least they feel obliged to invoke it when they want to accomplish something or obtain agreement. For example, recently, speaking at an Ohio State University commencement ceremony, President George W. Bush reminded graduating seniors that "idealism is needed in America."

"Politics is largely a matter of heart" said R.A. Butler in the mid-20th century. "Speaking decades earlier, Walter Lippmann defined ideals for us: "Ideals are an imaginative understanding of that which is desirable within that which is possible." Given America's focus on imaginative possibilities, it is little wonder that Americans of all parties are known for an optimistic view of the future; Ideals require a future-focus because they are realized in the future, and allowing them space to operate is motivated by the hope that the ideal will be realized to some significant extent.

Because America is distinguished as the first country in the history of the world ever founded upon a cause or an ideal, great Americans celebrate their own ideals, and American ideals as well. President Woodrow Wilson said "Sometimes people call me an idealist. Well, that is the way I know I am an American. " America is the only idealist nation in the world."

Americans are often called by their leaders to aggressively achieve American ideals: Indeed, "the American," as President John F. Kennedy said, "builds best when called upon to build greatly."

Americans started by building a great Declaration of Independence and Constitution that were intended, as Founder Henry Clay put it, "for endless perpetual posterity." Ideals can indeed work forever because they guide us or remind us even when not yet fully achieved.

This legal heritage of individual rights was not only considered a gift to perpetuity, it was consciously intended as a gift to the entire world. "A single good government becomes .. a blessing to the whole earth" said Thomas Jefferson. Ben Franklin himself observed it was not unusual but rather a "common observation here that our cause is the cause of mankind, and that we are fighting for their liberty in securing our own." Thomas Paine, the author of "Common Sense" and the most important American of that Revolutionary era according to both his friend Thomas Jefferson and nemesis John Adams, wrote confidently to the Colonists that the point of their work was to change the world: "We have it in our power to begin the world anew." The ethical view of the Founders clearly extended to the entire world and for all time, all of which was a fit subject for moral or political consideration.

Considering the highest of political moralities, President George H.W. Bush (Sr.) wrote: "I sometimes wonder if we've forgotten who we are. But we're the people who sundered a nation rather than allow a sin called slavery, and we're the people who rose from the ghettos and the deserts." Bush Sr. also wrote: "

America is never wholly herself unless she is engaged in high moral principle. We as a people have such a purpose today. It is to make kinder the face of the nation, and gentler the face of the world."

American ideals have always been geared towards the creation of a progressively more just society that increasingly serves We the People. Vice President Nelson Rockefeller said during the 1970s: "

America is not just a power, it is a promise. It is not enough for our country to be extraordinary in might, it must be exemplary in meaning. Our honor and our role in the world finally depend on the living proof that we are a just society." President Woodrow Wilson: "Our greatness is built upon our freedom, it is moral, not material. We have a great ardor for gain, but we have a deep passion for the rights of man."

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Paul Lehto practiced law in Washington State for 12 years in business law and consumer fraud, including most recently several years in election law, and is now a clean elections advocate. His forthcoming book is tentatively titled DEFENDING (more...)

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