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| Voltaire |
Candide was the name of the famous novel about the ultimate ingenue. Of course, Voltaire’s character lived up to his name. Egged on by Pangloss, famous for his mechanical optimism in the face of all evidence to the contrary, Candide exists in a state of total obliviousness to the very world around him. Ignorance is bliss goes the old saw. In modern translation read President Trump’s recent statement that increasing cases of corona were simply the result of all the testing. If it weren’t tragic, there would be something wonderful about the juggernaut of delusion that some people live by and that allows them to have a good time no matter what’s occurring in the world around them. One of the ideas that’s been propounded by some sybarites is that they can do anything they want as long as it’s a source of pleasure to them. In a sense this is the mantra of free market capitalism, supply side economics and all those who argue against regulation whether it refers to the environment, to wearing face masks or even seat belts. Let the dust settle and human beings can get their cake and eat it too. Talk to people in all the states were the pandemic is on the rampage. Ask them if they’re enjoying their rights.
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