These points, however, are footnotes. The main point is that choice is one-half of what's miraculous and precious about human beings (the other half being our capacity for altruism).
The mere existence of choice and democracy, as all of us here know all too well, does not guarantee they will be used toward the best, most rational ends. But reaching the best, most rational ends is literally impossible without maximum societal facilitation and encouragement of choices and democratic processes. Capitalism put this realization front and center. Now, it's humanity's challenge to comprehend how capitalism actually fails to live up to its own claims in this essential area, and then to move toward a social system that transcends capital's disguised dictatorial command over our options in life.
Stop trashing choice! There couldn't be a worse recipe for disaster, and the left can't sustain any more disasters. We're one or two more away from oblivion.