What is Right?

In reflecting on this week and the discussions that were had during class, on our field trip to the various farms, and afterwards with several classmates the one common theme I seem to be stuck on is this idea of what is right.  In our meeting with the county commissioner and the mayor this is something that came up several times was that in politics sometimes you just have to do what is “right” even if it is not going to be the thing that will get you the most popularity.  I thought it was interesting that this is the perspective that seemed to come up when talking about environmental issues and the general public.  It seems that there was a general perception that the better decision had to be made for the people instead of trusting them to come up with the solution.  The epitome of this is the idea of regulation as education. 

I would like to think that if exposed to all of the information that the general public would be able to come to the decisions just as well as anyone else.   I have no evidence that this is the case, but when I think about our trip to the three farms I can’t help but feel that it is true.  When exposed to various situations it was amazing how without having a report of facts it was easy to just “feel” what was right in terms of producing food.  I have no other hope than that this week.  I am incredibly optimistic in the power of education and exposure in the effect it can have on individuals to make better choices.