• Donate
  • Subscribe
  • Careers
  • 2026 College Guide
    • 2026 Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars
    • About the College Guide and Rankings
    • College Guide Past Issues
  • Education
    • Higher Education
    • K-12
    • Higher Ed Q&A
  • Politics
    • Russia’s War on Ukraine
    • Law and Justice
    • Economy
      • Monopolized Economy
      • Health Care
    • Protecting the Vote
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
  • Podcast
  • Newsletter
  • Washington Monthly Institute
    • White Papers
  • Kukula Award
  • About
  • Bluesky Page
  • X Username
  • Youtube Page
  • Linkedin Page
  • Instagram Page
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
  • Education
    • K-12
    • Higher Education
    • Higher Ed Q&A
  • Politics
  • Health Care
  • Protecting the Vote
  • Law and Justice
  • The Monopolized Economy
  • Economy
  • Books
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Successes of Philanthropy
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
  • Education
    • K-12
    • Higher Education
    • Higher Ed Q&A
  • Politics
  • Health Care
  • Protecting the Vote
  • Law and Justice
  • The Monopolized Economy
  • Economy
  • Books
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Successes of Philanthropy
Skip to content
Washington Monthly

Washington Monthly

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • Careers
  • 2026 College Guide
    • 2026 Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars
    • About the College Guide and Rankings
    • College Guide Past Issues
  • Education
    • Higher Education
    • K-12
    • Higher Ed Q&A
  • Politics
    • Russia’s War on Ukraine
    • Law and Justice
    • Economy
      • Monopolized Economy
      • Health Care
    • Protecting the Vote
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
  • Podcast
  • Newsletter
  • Washington Monthly Institute
    • White Papers
  • Kukula Award
  • About
Posted inPolitical Animal, Politics

THE FREEDOM TO BREATHE….Ah, the

by Kevin Drum January 1, 2003January 8, 2022

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky

THE FREEDOM TO BREATHE….Ah, the eternal struggle between principle and self-interest. Looks like self-interest might be getting the upper hand this time.

And by coincidence, the source of Megan’s inner conflict was the subject my first ever blog post! My advice: just relax and wallow in a bit of pure unprincipled selfishness. Hell, everyone else does….

Related

Our ideas can save democracy... But we need your help! Donate Now!

Support the Washington Monthly

Founded in 1969, the Washington Monthly is an independent media organization based in Washington, D.C. Our mission: To preserve democracy and champion good governance through honest journalism and thoughtful commentary.
 
We’re not a subsidiary of a giant media company or a mouthpiece for ideologues. We’re independent, listened to by insiders and willing to take on sacred cows—liberal and conservative. 

Yes, I'll Make a Donation

Trending Now

The Tower Stones of 9/11

September 11, 2026September 11, 2026

25 Years After 9/11, What Have We Learned?

September 11, 2026

The Lost Journalistic World of 9/11

September 10, 2026September 10, 2026

“Deceive, Disrupt, Deny.” The Looming Threat to This Fall’s Elections

September 9, 2026September 10, 2026

Will It Be a Blue Wave?

September 9, 2026September 10, 2026

Are Men Okay?

Are Men Okay?

Jon Ronson’s gonzo tour through the varied world of male alienation.

Keep reading
by Ryan Zickgraf September 8, 2026September 8, 2026
25 Years After 9/11, What Have We Learned?
Books

25 Years After 9/11, What Have We Learned?

Keep reading
by Christian Caryl September 11, 2026
The Lost Journalistic World of 9/11
Politics

The Lost Journalistic World of 9/11

Keep reading
by Matthew Cooper September 10, 2026September 10, 2026
“Deceive, Disrupt, Deny.” The Looming Threat to This Fall’s Elections
Podcast

“Deceive, Disrupt, Deny.” The Looming Threat to This Fall’s Elections

Keep reading
by Anne Kim September 9, 2026September 10, 2026
Will It Be a Blue Wave?
Politics

Will It Be a Blue Wave?

Keep reading
by Bill Scher September 9, 2026September 10, 2026
Are Men Okay?
Books

Are Men Okay?

Keep reading
by Ryan Zickgraf September 8, 2026September 8, 2026
Mental Health, Police, and The Death of Charles Adair 
Politics

Mental Health, Police, and The Death of Charles Adair 

Keep reading
by Melinda Henneberger September 8, 2026September 8, 2026

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

  • Bluesky Page
  • X Username
  • Youtube Page
  • Linkedin Page
  • Instagram Page
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
  • From the Archives
  • Education
    • K-12
    • Higher Education
  • Health Care
  • The Monopolized Economy
  • Politics
  • Protecting the Vote
  • Law and Justice
  • Economy
  • Books
  • About
  • Advertising
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Successes of Philanthropy
© 2026 Washington Monthly Powered by Newspack

Never miss an article!

Sign up for the Washington Monthly newsletter to get our stories in your inbox. Opt out any time.

Select list(s) to subscribe to


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from the Washington Monthly

Gift this article