“Today, going back on to the gold standard would be perceived as an act of desperation. But if the gold standard were in place today, we would not have reached the situation in which we now find ourselves,” he said.“[T]here is a widespread view that the 19th Century gold standard didn’t work. I think that’s like wearing the wrong size shoes and saying the shoes are uncomfortable! It wasn’t the gold standard that failed; it was politics.”

The nation state remains the best model for human happiness.

Belichick would never make such a move. Instead, Belichick almost favors trading down, acquiring more picks, and taking more shots. Given the number of variables at play on what players will succeed at the next level, it’s impossible to eliminate the risk that goes into selecting a player. Even an ideal player can have his career ruined before his first game by a fluke injury. The more draft picks you secure, the more chances you have to hit. This, combined with a coach staff that excels at player development, has given the Patriots a consistent source of young talent – even allowing the team survive occasional disappointing draft picks.