"This dullness of vision regarding the importance of the general welfare to the individual is the measure of the failure of our schools and churches to teach the spiritual significance of genuine democracy"

This quote by Henry A. Wallace speaks to the failure of our academic and spiritual organizations to teach the importance of the cumulative good to the person. Wallace is suggesting that our schools and churches have refrained from doing a great job of teaching the spiritual significance of democracy, which is the idea that the collective good of individuals is more vital than the individual. He thinks that if people were taught the importance of the cumulative excellent, they would have a better understanding of the significance of democracy and the need to collaborate for the typical good. Wallace is recommending that if we are to have a successful democracy, we should make sure that our educational and spiritual institutions are teaching the spiritual significance of democracy.