Hi Orrin – I couldn’t agree more. I love your idea of different levels of principles. I believe that by having core principles, one can justly choose the highest and best path and remove any hesitation from potential paradox. By being clear about one’s belief system, the internal paradox is alleviated. Lincoln is a great example of a man who had core beliefs that trumped other non-core principles. Even though he may have felt strongly about these “lower” principles and normally would act in their favor, when they conflicted a core belief, they were, in good conscience, dismissed, or more appropriately, tabled. Lincoln and Reagan are good examples in politics of leaders who held fast to beliefs that seemingly were in the minority and normally bartered away by politicians. This is why parliamentary governments flounder. Since there are numerous parties, the winner nearly always comes from a coalition, which in common practice is a compromise of the parties’ platforms. Sadly, the United States of America is heading in this direction. More and more “special interest groups” are demanding specific policies in exchange for votes – just like in parliamentary systems; and therefore, a “false” majority. These groups represent great constituencies and, therefore, wield political power. Politicians, seeking votes, pander to these groups for money and endorsements. Sadly, this leaves the majority a coalition of compromised minorities, -- a pseudo majority -- because many, and regrettably the majority, approach politics as the “lesser of two evils” rather than “this is what I believe”. Nevertheless, it has panned out in history that those who hold core principles may lose some battles; but if the principles are based on those found in the Holy Bible, they never lose the war. The idea of majority rules is seemingly laudable, but it is because men are by nature selfish that it cannot work in the long run – and never has. Without Biblical principles the majority, whether by coalition or not, will subjugate and suppress the minority for their own purposes. Even in secular research, it has been shown that acting for the greater good of the total population proves more beneficial than acting in the interests of the majority alone. This is the Biblical principle of servant leadership -- the majority is to serve the whole. Well, I rambled on here for a while in summary, Orrin, I agree with your posting and seek to be true to Biblical Truths, as well. God bless, Kevin