The eternal arguments against change

[jpgray]

-A little good mixed with much evil is better than no good and more evil.

-A friend, however disappointing, is better than a hated enemy.

-Disagreements between friends cheer the enemies of both.

-An obstacle is never proved surmountable, so long as no one tries to surmount it.

These are all true, as far as they go. If this is as far as we go in addressing the status quo, the world as we find it will remain the best of all possible worlds. Such immortal defenses of existing circumstances serve to entrench and fortify common opinion about what is possible, universally to the detriment of all who would benefit from change. They are the perfect means for discouraging and demoralizing those who would try what has not been tried before.

Perhaps you are thinking the above statements represent hardheaded realism as opposed to mediocrity and defeatism. But consider: we have a black Democratic president with an Afro-Muslim name. I'm glad he tried to surmount that which was called insurmountable by common opinion. Aren't you?