Almost every division observable in society is in the end the result of differing appraisals of human nature. Thomas Sowell eloquently and insightfully called attention to this fact is his excellent book entitled 'A Conflict of Visions'.

Early in the book he explains that people fall into one of two very different visions of human nature.

On the one side are those who believe that man is perfectible through education and social programs. These are the Utopian folks who are convinced that we can create a heaven on earth, if we can just get the knobs of society properly set.

On the other side are those who believe we can improve ever so modestly man's behavior, but he will always remain flawed.

The first group reminds me of something I was fond of pointing out to my Facebook followers before Facebook disabled my account permanently for no good reason.

I pointed out that it never ceased to amaze me how otherwise very intelligent people were convinced that everything could be made right if only we would put the right people in charge of bossing the rest of us around.