Perspective

As elections approach, I hear a lot of doom-and-gloom from paleoconservatives predicting that Obama's socialism will spell the eventual doom of the United States as a Republic. Perhaps it could (although I think it won't, although it would if things continued in the direction they're going). In the long run, though, I am reminded of John McCarthy's definition:

"An extreme optimist is a man who believes that humanity will probably survive even if it doesn't take his advice."

It's a healthy attitude politically, but the underlying reasoning is interesting: it's faith that good ideas will work and be adopted eventually, while bad ideas will fail and be discarded. Or as Joseph Smith said,

"If I esteem mankind to be in error, shall I bear down on them? No. I will lift them up, and in their own way too, if I cannot persuade them my way is better; and I will not seek to compel any man to believe as I do, only by the force of reasoning, for truth will cut its own way."

Socialism will fail, inevitably. Oh well. I am determined to be there (and solvent) at the end when it does.

-Max

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"The presentation or 'gift' of the Holy Ghost simply confers upon a man the right to receive at any time, when he is worthy of it and desires it, the power and light of truth of the Holy Ghost, although he may often be left to his own spirit and judgment." --Joseph F. Smith (manual, p. 69)

"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."