Jeff Smith, [fictional] man of integrity

I was finding myself a little bit discouraged yesterday to read on the news about another politician confessing infidelity.

I really don't know where to take this post without it ending cynically. I'm usually the optimist but when it comes to politics these days it seems increasingly difficult to believe there are selfless and moral leaders out there.

Last night Richard and I watched Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. If you haven't seen it I recommend it. It had been recommended to me many times before I finally watched it.

I thought about the goodness in people. Somewhere inside the complicated soul is a belief that what they do and accomplish as a public servant must not conflict with a moral code. Love thy neighbor, for example. Do people still believe that?

In addition, watching the movie made me slightly paranoid about what corrupted and self-interested groups are biasing my opinions.

That is almost too scary of an idea to entertain.

I do believe in hope. So for now I'll hold on to it. Hoping that there are men and women out there working from their conscience and the constitution.

Without a doubt I love my country. A quote from the movie:

"Liberty's too precious a thing to be buried in books... Men should hold it up in front of them every single day of their lives and say: I'm free to think and to speak. My ancestors couldn't, I can, and my children will. "