All told, an unfree society is not likely to be a virtuous one. In the end, people need to be more willing to tolerate the quirks and failings, even serious lapses of virtue among their neighbors, as long as such actions have only limited effect on others. People should criticize and even ostracize, where appropriate, but leave the punishment of most sins to God. The fact that government can do little to help does not mean that there is nothing it should do. Although the community-wide moral breakdown most evident in the inner city has many causes, government policy has exacerbated the problem at almost every level.
Governments punish marriage and thrift through their welfare and tax policies.
Nevertheless, as Sirico emphasizes, freedom is not enough. While liberty is the highest political goal, it is not life's highest objective. For a Christian, the greatest commandments are to love God and one's neighbors. Helping people get in a right relationship with God is more important than reordering the political system. Nevertheless, building a better society that protects justice and meets material needs is a worthy goal and one most likely to be achieved through a free society.