The Lesser and the Greater of Oil Drilling

The Lesser and the Greater can also reveal things that are deeper and more expansive than what is on the surface. Let's take a look at the decision to drill or not to drill for oil in ANWR, off the coasts, or in midwest and upper west.


Oil drilling is a great concept because we need oil right now. Even though it might not be the most effective or optimal way for us to fuel our energy - it is way better than having gas skyrocket to 7 or 8 dollars. We need to drill for oil right now because it is a lesser of two evils than having to pay up the yin-yang for gas.

That would be a very simple way of looking at how oil drilling is the lesser of two evils: high gas prices vs. inefficient drilling. Many individuals in government are trying to arrange for the legalization and allowing of drilling of our coasts and in Alaska right now in Congress. These leaders feel that the danger facing us through gas prices is worth the amount of risk that it would be to drill for oil.


Yet there is another option that is more encompassing than this first concept. Many people believe that we should not drill because this crisis is helping us see the need to create alternative forms of energy. It is more important for us not to drill right now because we need to focus on innovating for future success through alternative forms of energy. It is of greater priority for us to consider our long-term future for alternative energy - and drilling would not get us there.


So there can be arguments made for both sides. Now leaders have to look at these arguments and decide which is more important. They need to decide where the largest need is, and then they need to act based on the biggest need coupled with future considerations.


And we as citizens need to help them make these big decisions.

Immigration: Lesser and Greater

Immigration is such a large and complex issue. It affects not only the immigrants directly involved, but it impacts every single person in the United States. The scope of immigration cannot be contained in a single article, and the solution for the immigration quandry cannot be solved with a single fell swoop, either. So let's begin the conversation to see how immigration works out with the Lesser and the Greater.

The Lesser: Some people would argue that sending all of the illegal immigrants back would be a terrible mistake. They would say that it is wrong for them to be here illegally, but it would just irrepairably injure our economy if they were deported. It is essentially the lesser of two evils if we just allow them to stay.

Also, people would debate that illegal immigrants here are a strain on the economy and government services. They would say that they use up medical services, social services, and other things that they are not paying taxes to support. Yet, again, if they were gone, that would leave a giant hole in our economy.

So it is the lesser of two evils (poor economy vs. illegal immigrant problems) for illegal immigrants to stay here in the States.

The Greater: Some people would argue that illegal immigrants are dangerous to this nation. They come in and cause trouble for which they are never fully held responsible. They are breaking the law by coming into the country, and then they make our streets and cities dangerous once they are here. They might work a little, but a lot of them simply come over here to our country and cause dangerous troubles.

Also, people would argue that having illegal immigrants in our country sets a terrible precedent to the world. Any country can see all of the people that get into our country, and they can have the confidence that they can get in, as well. It is like showing the world that we are terrible at protecting our own borders.

So it is a greater of two priorities (economy/opportunity vs. national safety) that illegal immigrants should be forced to leave the States.


This is just one example of a couple of the sides of the debate. But rest assured, when a solution is finally gathered and a plan is set into place - leaders will have chosed based on what is either the lesser of two evils or the greater of two priorities.

The Lesser and The Greater of the Federal Budget

One of the most prominent places for examples of The Lesser and The Greater is in the Federal Budget. The budget shows the things that our leaders believe garners special attention and priority. It portrays what things our leaders feel are more important than others, and it conveys the things that our leaders believe are the lesser and the greater.

Why does this happen in the budget? Simply because money is scarce.

Since money is scarce, there is not enough money to cover everything that everyone wants to do. There is only a limited amount of money through federal income, and our leaders priorities come through the federal budget. The federal budget provides a clear picture of the exact things that leaders consider to be important.

If there was an unlimited supply of money for the government, then the leaders could do everything that their constituents desired. But since money is scarce, leaders have to choose which things are greater than others. Whatever is represented in the federal budget - those are the things that leaders to be considered greater priorities than others.

So if you want to see what our country's leaders consider to be The Greater - check out the Federal Budget.