Commentary: Both liberal, conservative points of view warrant respect

The “nanny state” commentary criticizing New York City Mayor De Blasio’s plan for community schools provides a striking illustration of the difference in perspective between conservatives and liberals (“Commentary: Nanny state in schools lessens education,” Nov. 11).

The conservative worries about people becoming dependent on government instead of being responsible for their own well-being and that of their children. The liberal is concerned about how to maximize the well-being of children and society in a less-than-perfect world.

This difference is a reflection of a wider gap in worldview. The conservative advocates personal responsibility for oneself. The liberal talks about responsibility toward one another and toward our country and our community.

This is not so much a matter of opposing ideas as of emphasis. Politicians and pundits have exploited the difference, dividing us into opposing camps that sometimes demonize each other, and America has suffered for it.

There is plenty of middle ground that liberals and conservatives already agree on. Few conservatives would be so hard-hearted as to advocate leaving an orphaned baby to die of hunger and exposure. Few liberals would object to measures to discourage freeloaders from gaming the system.

We generally agree that government, rather than each individual, should promote commerce by building streets and providing courts to resolve disputes. The differences often have to do with who should pay, how much and for what. Those differences can be bridged.

We need to acknowledge that both conservative and liberal points of view have merit and deserve our respect. We must not let power-seekers exaggerate our differences to divide and conquer us. We live in an imperfect world and cannot count on everyone to be a model citizen. We need a functional government at all levels to maintain a viable economy and provide the basis for freedom and prosperity.

ELEANOR EGAN lives in Costa Mesa.