To sum up my progressive agenda in answer to Tim Gwin (Herald, Feb. 23) is very simple: to use advancements in science, technology, medicine and economics to make a better world for all people.
I believe that a government that is truly of, by and for its citizens is mandated to consider the greatest good in all its actions. To do this, we must embrace evidence-based decision-making.
All evidence seems to suggest that we are doing great damage to the planet by choosing to subsidize unsustainable technology, to the economy by continuing to embrace supply-side economic theory, and to our national health by choosing to subsidize the corn and sugar industries.
None of these problems are the result of natural law or of the free market – they are the result of choices that our representatives make under influence by the corporations and individuals benefiting from them.
This is where we are progressing “from.” Where we are progressing “to” is unanswerable in my opinion. We shouldn’t be aiming for a predetermined vision of utopia – that has not worked out well in the past, and we must learn from our mistakes.
Instead, we should be evolving and making well-informed choices with our best evidence, guided by our principles and values.
I will ignore the condescension of Gwin’s final question and answer it at face value. Yes I am listening, and not just waiting to talk. The ability to change one’s opinion based on new evidence is also an important part of progressive thought.
TJ Wilson
Durango
