With all the attacks on traditional values in how we govern ourselves, we have allowed our notion of “the Greater Good” to be trashed or deliberately overlooked and misinterpreted.  “Majority” rule is a good place to start a search for “the Greater Good”. If you have to have a rule to support action by government, it is the simple notion that 50% plus one is a “majority” and then, when the electioneering is over we can get on with governing ourselves. This has been abused the world over and there are fewer democracies where this rule is in effect than undemocratic systems all over the world.

An alarming number of people living under our system of government do not believe in majority rule or minority rights. Disregarding the rights of small minorities, the more militant of the largest minorities in our putative two party system, attempts to suppress opposition and frighten into submission dissenting voices. There are many examples where events conspire to defeat sentiments that were in operation over decades and even centuries.  Through times of war, depression and natural disasters, we were the light of the world with a system that continued despite assassination and fierce disagreement over policies that made us stumble into the future.

One victim of the battles over which philosophy of government will prevail is decency in the universe of discourse.  Pragmatically, dissenting opponents can agree on what they disagree. They also can accept compromises that do not solve problems or please everyone.  What they accidentally achieve is the conduct of a fairly successful and functioning government that promises to get better over time.

There are many cynical, dysfunctional and needy voices insisting on being right in the babble of contending philosophies. Astonishing is the number of disaffected or uninvolved people who will let a braggart and racist liar, speak for them.  Truth, the victim here, is abandoned in order to destroy an opposition because winning becomes paramount over basic human values of integrity, honesty and putting a fence around the public good.  The greater good is sacrificed to special advantage.  When polls show a slight edge, it becomes the recipe for ALL people.

I think the greater good is a number of things.  Peace is what we should start with.  True equality in economics, the social order and political equality is a very important good.  Full employment with workers’ rights at least the equal of management and stockholder’s profits is a good.  Equal educational opportunities for all including well-compensated teachers and good schools and working equipment are important.  A fair, impartial judicial system is fundamental. Most of all, available and affordable medical care and access to the best pharmaceutical products is a greater public good than profits will ever be.

These start to define the greater good. They must replace privileged practices that pass for government today.  Keep government, oversee government and while it invades private space, demand it be responsive to all people for the greater good.