In economics, we often differentiate between decisions made by individuals and decisions made by groups. Sometimes we use the word "we" in a misleading way, like if I say "we" determine how much to spend on school programs, we obscure the fact that it is really individuals (politicians, unions, lobbyists) who make these decisions, although these decisions are influenced by the public.
Ayn Rand Versus Pope Alexander
The famous novelist Ayn Rand emigrated from Russia, where individuality was almost a crime. She portrayed the problems in group decisions in her novella Anthem, a fictional land and time where the word "I" is not allowed. The novel is confusing at first, because the character is saying things like, "And as we undress at night...," when it feels like they should be saying, "And as I undress at night." It took me more than a few pages to figure out what is going on.
The purpose of Anthem is to illustrate the dangers of allowing individual thought and initiative. Mrs. Rand is a very controversial author, and many Progressive dislike her, but I think even the most Progressive reader can read Rand and learn how to be a better Progressive - just like a Libertarian can read Upton Sinclair and learn how to be a better Libertarian (but maybe I'm asking too much).
As I watched the end of the fourth episode of Borgia: Faith and Fear (Season 1, but the European version, not The Borgias that Showtime played in 2011-2012) I caught this dialogue.
Pope Alexander Borgias: ...I will build new apartments.
The Pope's assistant: We will build new apartments:
Pope Alexander Borgias: You and I?
The Pope's assistant: No. "You" are "we" now.
Pope Alexander Borgias: Yes, I am "we".
It's an interesting contrast, I think.
