A Choice Between Idealism and Pragmatism

Gary Hart has an interesting article published in The Huffington Post yesterday in which he suggests that the dichotomy between Liberal and Conservative is not as important and significant in Democratic politics as is the inclination of serious voters to favor '"...either idealism or pragmatism. Overly simplified, the pragmatist says 'tell me how the system works and I'll do my best within it,' and the idealist says, 'Let's change the system.'"

Senator Hart states that Democrats often have a choice presented to them. There is the more pragmatic candidate, seasoned and experienced in national politics, and the, typically younger, idealistic less experienced candidate, willing and anxious to break with tradition and "conventional wisdom" and try new ideas and concepts.

This year, the choices are confusing and have overtones of racial and sexual prejudices. Hillary Clinton, campaigning on her experience, success in the United States Senate and patent toughness, is nonetheless burdened by the idea that many voters simply will not, in the privacy of the voting booth, choose a woman. Barack Obama has, what some consider, an unrealistic view of the world, pursuing themes of new ideas, new viewpoints and a break with a past political tradition and wisdom that was often corrupt.

Senator Obama is also burdened by bias and prejudice. It has been commented many times that the election in the primary show a substantial difference between the exit polls and the actual votes. When speaking to pollsters upon leaving the voting site, a number of people state they voted from Senator Obama but, again in the privacy of the voting booth, they chose not to vote for a Black person.

It is a commonplace to state that most people start out as young idealists. As we grow older, many people become more pragmatic, in their private lives, their workplaces and in their politics. Pragmatism has its allure. It appears to be more sophisticated and "grown-up"; one who is used to work within a structure, a system, find it easier to manipulate than to change.

Some of us started out as young idealists and have chosen not to become more pragmatic. This great country in which we live has a tradition of idealism that goes back to its founding. Breaking away from Great Britain and then expanding westward was hardly pragmatic. Protecting the aged, the infirm and children, even when imperfectly attempted or accomplished are instances of decency and idealism

Some of us cling to the hope that America can do better, that public service can be noble and that equality and justice are achievable. We don't want to settle for past policy frameworks or for half measures. We would prefer to set a higher standard and to challenge the political and social systems to struggle upward. These feelings are not voluntary. They are part of one's very character.

I hope that I will be able to vote for the first woman president. I also hope she will be an idealist, not only a gender pioneer but a bold, brave, and innovative leader who is not part of a flawed system. I want America to send a powerful signal to a watching world that we have now taken a giant step by electing an African-American. I hope that this president will call us to a nobler mission and a higher goal, that he or she will remind us always of our principles and ideals, that he or she will place us back on our historic path to the establishment of a more perfect union and a principled republic.

I am an idealist still, albeit one who is well beyond middle age. I proudly place my hopes in Barack Obama. For far too long, we unconverted idealists have allowed the pragmatists of both parties to "dis" us.

No more!

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