I think of some of the most famous philosphers in history. It might be tempting to assume they were bookish and never went out if it rained. But it seems they were, in many cases, extremely tough SOBs. Even a guy like Cicero with his high manners and good-uncle advice. Tough man. We should be like that. Advance to our higher level if we must, but be ready for whatever the street may offer. That may be what bothers us, or myself, about the Leftists. Just do this, they say, and the world will be rosy forever. Kucinich hovers at his higher mental state. But so did Gurdjieff, but Gurdjieff could walk into the most dust-blasted town in Armenia and immediately establish himself as a survivor. I wouldn't bet on Kucinich.
The world is not rosy and shows no sign of ever becoming so. So let's go ahead and build our crystal palaces but keep our swords crystal sharp as well. In other words, if we are shipping our industrial and manufacturing capability offshore, let's be sure we can at least stay on the boards of directors.