Ron Swanson—a Great Man with a Dumb Cause

The Tragedy of Libertarianism, Capitalism, and Simping for Unworthy Things

Normally I avoid writing about popular culture and contemporary politics—if only because such topics tend to shallow the soul. But a man like Ron Swanson is a walking, talking exception, and his plight in a world that has no place for him connects well to my normal themes.

Between 2009 and 2015, the writers and producers of NBC’s Parks and Recreation exh…