The Pittsburgh Press (May 5, 1944)
Ferguson: Regimentation
By Mrs. Walter Ferguson
Speaking to the League of Women Voters in New York, Mrs. Roosevelt emphasized the need for political alertness. The First Lady said:
The best plan in the world isn’t going to be worth a hill of beans unless voters choose capable persons to put it into effect.
I think we might follow her line of reasoning further, by reminding ourselves that the best plan isn’t worth a hill of beans either unless the people whom it affects are willing to accept and abide by it.
Maybe it’s the fault of the war, but trends point to regimentation plans which the American people are going to resent the instant the war is over. Their restiveness is everywhere apparent. Only the fact that there is a war to win keeps them submissive under present restraints.
The women of the United States will play a big part in directing its political and economic future. If their contribution is to be valuable, they must accept a basic truth which they have so far generally disregarded: We can’t make people behave by passing laws. Beautiful social ideals are unattainable until a majority of the nation’s citizens really desire them.
Because they refused to take human beings as they found them, women have failed in many past endeavors. Yet, we go merrily on proposing legislation which is supposed to enforce tolerance, justice, and the Golden Rule. The measures are unsuccessful, since we have not yet produced enough men and women who are willing to practice those virtues. Democracy is slowly being throttled to death by a surfeit of laws and regulations.