Your view: Delusional beliefs

The dictionary defines delusion as "mistaken notion: a false or mistaken belief about something," "contrary to or lacking in reason or logic." Using the dictionary, which doesn't have a dog in the political fight, one could only surmise that Mitt Romney, who recently announced his candidacy for President, is delusional.

For Romney to be a Mormon, or LDS member as they are now called, he must believe the church founder, Joseph Smith was visited by an angel named "Moroni" on over 20 occasions, directed him (Smith) to the location of some golden plates on which were inscribed a "lost" Egyptian language, which he was able to translate into the Book of Mormon, but only by looking through some magic reading stones which were (thoughtfully) buried with the plates. Only Smith was privileged to look through the special stones. Smith cautioned that if anyone else dared a peek, they would die instantly. Afterward the angel whispered in Smith's ear that the way to salvation also required that he and other Mormons were required to have many wives. (Throw me in that brier patch)

There are approximately 5 million LDS members in the U.S. Actuarially speaking, this means in a gymnasium filled with 1000 people, only 17 of them actually believe in the myth while 983 do not. Why? Because, again, using an unbiased dictionary, believing foolishness like that is "contrary to or lacking in logic and reason".

Therefore I think it is quite incredible that many of the electorate would actually vote for a delusional candidate while rejecting a reasonable one.

Come to think of it, the fact that any opinion is widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd; indeed in view of the general silliness of mankind, any widespread belief is more likely to be foolish than sensible.

As those words were transferred from my brain flat out on paper, I am reminded of the old Turkish proverb: "When you speak the truth, have one foot in a stirrup." Holding firmly to logic and reason and with one foot in a stirrup, I respectfully submit my own opinion.

Charlie Sitzes

Sikeston