Freston rejects the Hobbesian view of mankind. It’s time to believe in our better side.

Question: Do you have a political philosophy?

Tom Freston: Well I would judge myself to be – I’m an independent. I don’t necessarily say I’m a Democrat or a Republican in American terminology. But I do believe that . . . I do believe in the basic goodness of man, and I don’t appreciate, you know, the fear mongering, negative Hobbsian view that a man is basically a beast to be contained and to be wary of. I think that kind of thinking gets you into a lot of trouble if you’re a political leader or a political follower. So I tend to believe more, but not in a naïve way, in the better side of humanity. And I believe that politically anybody who wants to really honestly communicate information, and inform and educate people, and build their awareness about issues in a solid way, that would be somebody . . . And do it in a real voice and not be the classic politician sellout of looking to do anything for votes. I think America . . . a lot of America would agree with me on this, in that there’s really a dearth of candidates today that people would think maybe feel that way.

Recorded On: 7/6/07