That may seem like an odd title for a note in a classical school newsletter. After all, isn’t classical education concerned with the eternal over the temporal, the lessons of human history more than the political demands of the present? What do modern elections and national interests have to do with teaching children virtue—the Good, the True, and the Beautiful?
The answer lies in recognizing that although classical education is principally concerned with the transcendent, the schools upon which its success depends exist here on earth, at a particular time in history and within a particular political community. And that temporal, political reality has practical implications for classical schools, just as the formation of wise and virtuous citizens will have practical implications for the future of our republic.
So, what’s the point? Well, consider: In just 20 years, the spending on federal elections in presidential cycles has gone from $5.3 billion (in 2000) to $16.5 billion (in 2020). And 2024 will far surpass that record. In total, federal elections between 2000 and 2022 have cost over $87 billion. That’s an average of almost $4 billion every year spent merely to elect presidents and congressmen—and about half of that has funded candidates who did not win.
There is no doubt that this political profligacy reflects a genuine concern for the future of our nation. The question, though, is not the genuineness of the concern but rather the prudence of our priorities.
Anthony Esolen recently observed: “It is hard to imagine that all of America was once in a lather of dread and excitement over whether James G. Blaine or Grover Cleveland would be elected president. Cleveland…won, but I cannot tell you what the difference in our lives right might be had he lost. The Psalmist warns us not to put our trust in men in general, or in princes in particular; and what that means, I think, is that despite our call to work in the world…we must never stake our souls upon what our fellow human beings do—especially not upon what those in positions of power do.”
Do not misunderstand: I am not issuing a call for political apathy, nor am I suggesting that elections don’t matter. But is it possible that in putting our trust in princes—to the tune of $4 billion each year—we have neglected the formation of a virtuous citizenry that will have a far greater impact on our culture and nation than any James G. Blaine or Grover Cleveland ever could? Is it possible that the one temporal, political act that can alter the long-term trajectory of America is the education of future generations in what is eternally significant?
We seem to have forgotten the words of John Adams: “The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our people in a greater measure than they have it now, they may change their rulers and the forms of government, but they will not obtain a lasting liberty. They will only exchange tyrants and tyrannies.” As far as the political concerns of this world go, I’d happily spend $87 billion for another John Adams—but if we would simply heed his admonition as a people, we wouldn’t need to.
