Understanding the New Deal.

Editor,

New Deal programs are considered by individuals who identify themselves as "conservatives" to epitomize "looking to the government" to solve society's problems. But New Deal programs exemplify not looking to "the government" but looking to each other -- individuals pool their collective resources in solidarity with one another -- to address certain needs. Conservative ideology, which is tone-deaf to the concept of collective strength through shared participation, seems to interpret the Darwinist principle that only the fit survive as "it is every man for himself." But this is a misreading of Darwin, as the fitness of a species, like the fitness of a society, is not measured in terms of individuals. Certainly if one feels no connection to one's fellows, one is free to abuse and trample them as one sees fit, which works fine until one needs the help of those one has ground into the
dirt.