About six years ago I researched the origin of the phrase “man cannot govern himself.”

“I exhort you, therefore, that you abstain from covetousness (cf. Hebrews 13:5; Titus 2:12), and that you be chaste (Titus 2:5) and truthful. “Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22). For if a man cannot govern himself in such matters, how shall he enjoin them on others?” – Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians (AD 65-155)

“If man cannot govern himself, how can he govern others?” Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)

“Anarchism repudiates any attempt of a group of men or of any individual to arrange life for others. Anarchism rests on faith in humanity and its potentialities, while all other social philosophies have no faith in humanity whatever. The other philosophies insist that man cannot govern himself and that he must be ruled over.” – Emma Goldman (1869-1940)

I am neither an anarchist nor an advocate of anarchy, given that what was exposed during September/October of this year is many cuts above the anarchy of a college food fight, except as it points in the direction of the lesser of two evils, which as I see it, is less government.

As Wretchard wrote above, morality is one dimension, but the short-term problem is more pragmatic and I voted McCain.

In the meantime, back at the ranch, rumor has it that the McCain campaign is plotting to let Palin take the fall.

But it could be reverse psychological operations to deter Palin supporters.

It also seems to me that only within the last few days has the McCain campaign seen a real window of opportunity and they are now kicking themselves for not taking it – the high road, as Pascal wrote elsewhere – unafraid to shed the “all things to all people” approach and campaign on a strong conservative platform.

As I said, messy.