The wisdom of crowds

When I read the NYT editorial page--which I do just about every day--I usually start with the letters columns. I've learned that the varied voices of the letter-writers are often wiser than any of the columnists, op-ed contributors and the editorial board of the Newspaper of Record.

For instance: from yesterday's letters column:

To the Editor:

Frank Rich focused on the administration’s role in condoning torture, the non-action of Congress in upholding our country’s moral imperatives, and the public’s silence. Well, we the people can now voice our concerns because of the elections.

As we listen to the debates — whether they be Democratic or Republican — we hear nothing about moral leadership, nothing about taking a lead in improving the world’s deteriorating environment, nothing about reinforcing the rule of law here and abroad, nothing about America regaining its role in the world as the embodiment of freedom and goodness.

While the candidates bicker about health care and tax cuts, we need to decide who can best represent American ideals and undo the harm the present administration has created all over the world. We need a leader to right what’s wrong in our country, bring us together and act as a beacon for all other countries that wish to aspire to the American dream.

Hillary, Barack, Mitt, Rudy, Chris, Fred, Joe — can you do it?

Sidney M. Levy
Baltimore, Oct. 14, 2007

I'm not sure I agree that we hear nothing about leadership, restoring the rule of law, et cetera,
but these are certainly not central issues in the campaign, and the MSM gives a lot more space to how much money has been raised, spats between this candidate and that one, and plain old campaign gossip than it does to such vital subjects.