Well-being of others must be considered

In the previous installment I stated my opposition to the lobbying effort attempting to minimize the economic burden USU carries with a brief illustration why. In this piece, I will explain why the end result of depleting funds in other areas of Utah’s economy will eventually negatively impact USU’s long-term viability.
    To that end, I must explain one of the underlying concepts in my arguments: enlightened self-interest. This is what is truly best for you, which distinguishes it from selfishness. I measure self-interest as a function of utility through time and space. One emergent pattern of utility is an action continually scoring low over time. In other words an action doesn’t benefit the actor now or in the future. Another pattern is an action scoring high in immediate utility, but failing to continue that return over time. The action eventually bites you in the butt. A third patter occurs when an action scores low in immediate utility but increases its returns over time. Some actions take time to bear fruit. And finally, an action can have high immediate returns and maintain those returns over time.
    Last week Rick stated he wanted to make USU’s arguments for protesting the budget “more community minded.” But he fails to say what that community is.
    Community is the space component of utility. In other words, this is the area in which we act, giving and receiving benefits. Any action can have long distance consequences. Why did the stock market crash in New York so easily impact Utah’s economy? They are part of our community.
    How is self-interest different than selfishness? Selfishness is an exclusive concern for the immediate well-being of the actor without regard for the well-being of others. Be careful, its defense may be couched in rhetoric about the greater good: “You’ll thank me later.” Enlightened self-interest, on the other hand, acknowledges your well-being is closely tied to your “community.” What is good for the community is ultimately good for the individual. The distinction I make is a matter of direction not form.
    Rick recognizes this but with all his ramblings about the American Founding fails to prove anything because he treats education as an unmitigated good. Nor does it seem that Rick thinks education needs to be checked like the ambition Madison says need to be checked in Federalist 51. How many of those bums on Wall Street have college degrees? How many people have suffered at their hands? So much for your simple example, Rick.
    What is USU’s enlightened self-interest? Executive Vice President Jackson Olsen admits USU students supported the petition because they “have a vested interest in Utah State being spared from the major cutbacks.” This ignores the fact that we have a “vested interest” in the well-being of the community at large. Rick’s argument asks whose well-being does USU impact? To act on enlightened self-interest, we should actually ask whose well-being impacts USU’s well-being and do everything to ensure their well-being. For example, the financial well-being of the state affects USU’s well-being since our tuition only pays for 15 percent of USU’s operating expenses.
    USU’s lobbying effort threatens the base upon which our well-being rests. ASUSU’s petition read: “By signing this petition, you publicly state your opposition to these further budget cuts proposed by the state legislature.” Considering the revenue shortfall the state suffers from, funds must be cut somewhere. ASUSU would rather have someone else suffer from extreme budget cuts for the well-being of their “community” than have us sacrifice for the well-being of our actual community. This is the epitome of selfishness.
    These funds will come from elementary and secondary education. Their quality of education will suffer. Is it in USU’s self-interest to have unprepared students coming to USU? Of course not. Our research status will suffer. Our ability to receive grants will suffer. These grants pay for 37 percent of our operating budget. Tell me, ASUSU, are your immediate financial concerns more important that the long-term self-interest of USU?
    James Wilson once asked, “Can we forge fetters for others, that will not be clasped round our own limbs?” Of course we can’t. Our self-interest is the well-being of our valley, the state, and the nation as a whole.

This editorial is the second installment of a four-part series and was written by Micah N. Strait, a graduate student studying political science. Comments can be sent to m.n.strait@aggiemail.usu.edu.