Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site fisher.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!cbdkc1!desoto!packard!hoxna!houxm!whuxlm!harpo!decvax!bellcore!allegra!princeton!astrovax!fisher!david From: david@fisher.UUCP (David Rubin) Newsgroups: net.politics Subject: Re: Re: Euromissiles in Belgium Message-ID: <520@fisher.UUCP> Date: Wed, 6-Feb-85 11:36:12 EST Article-I.D.: fisher.520 Posted: Wed Feb 6 11:36:12 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 9-Feb-85 09:30:08 EST References: <229@usl.UUCP> <511@fisher.UUCP> <435@mcvax.UUCP> Distribution: net Organization: Princeton Univ. Statistics Lines: 37 > >(2) If the people desire something morally wrong, does the > > national interest demand immorality? > >(3) If the people desire something patently stupid, does the > > fulfillment of that desire advance the national interest? >And who is going to decide whether or not something is morally wrong >or patently stupid. Fortunately we don't have a dictator here to decide >that for us. Is abortion morally wrong? A majority of people here don't >think so. Is deploying cruise missiles in Europa patently stupid? Lots >of people think so, yes, because it can threaten our very existence. >So what is "national interest"? That's the interest of the *people*, not >of those that happen to "rule" a country. >-- > Piet Beertema, CWI, Amsterdam > ...{decvax,philabs}!mcvax!piet I have no disagreement with you, except to note that the people often misjudge their own interests. Popular demand does not make a position wise, just, or moral, it just makes it ... popular. This does not mean I advocate a "dictatorship". It does mean I wish to have power once removed from popular will (power to be exercised by elected representatives answerable only to law, not public opinion, during their tenure, at the end of which public opinion again makes it effects felt). To paraphrase Churchill, Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others. This accurately sums up my attitude. Who is to decide what is best? Why, the participants in net.politics discussions, of course. Here we are free from the constraints of both the popular will and the corruption of power. We can debate and discuss the issues to our own content. We need not adopt inferior policies here because "the people demand it" or "it is necessary if we are to rule". Hopefully, arguments will stand and fall in our electronic utopia on their MERIT rather than their POPULARITY. David Rubin {allegra|astrovax|princeton}!fisher!david