Ronald Dworkin is puzzled by the fact that many Americans (namely, those who voted Republican in the recent elections) vote against their "best interests." Three points. First, it's in people's interest to vote Republican. The Democrat Party is the party of economic stagnation, military weakness, and political correctness. How is it in some poor person's interest to vote Democrat? Second, why does Dworkin assume that self-interest is the only basis on which to vote? I care about my country and its people, not just myself. Has Dworkin not heard of acting on principle? Third, I'm puzzled by the fact that Dworkin, a wealthy man, votes against his best interests. Why would he vote for those (namely, Democrats) who would take his wealth from him and give it to others?
Addendum: Dworkin says that people voted Republican this time around because Barack Obama is "black." (Actually, he's half black, so Dworkin must endorse the "one-drop" rule of racial classification.) Wasn't Obama "black" in 2008, when he was elected president? This sort of claim makes you wonder whether Dworkin thinks before he writes.
Addendum 2: Dworkin complains about the amount of money spent in behalf of Republican candidates. Why does he not complain about the amount of money spent in behalf of Democrat candidates, by the likes of George Soros? The proper response to Republican spending is not to deprive people of the right to donate money to the candidates of their choice; it is for Democrats to start donating more money. Perhaps Dworkin will get the ball rolling. Giving up just one fancy suit would pay for a television advertisement for some impecunious Democrat.
Addendum 3: Dworkin has been an academic for most of his adult life, but he lacks an academic temperament. Certainly he lacks a philosophical temperament. In a book review many years ago, law professor Maimon Schwarzschild referred to Dworkin's "relentless spin." You see that relentlessness in Dworkin's blog post. Relentless spin = intellectual dishonesty.
Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D. 