In troubled times, it is important to try to maintain a certain level of serenity. Right now we citizens have quite a lot on our plate and there is no reason to go completely crazy about the least little thing.

For instance, at that right-wing tea-party rally in Washington last week, it seemed a little weird when Jon Voight warned the crowd that if President Obama wasn’t stopped, the United States would wind up with a health care system like New Zealand’s.

At the time, I could not help wondering what New Zealand ever did to Jon Voight. Also if he’s made any movies since the one where he got eaten by a really big snake.

But you did not see me getting all carried away about it.

I am not even going to rant about the fact that when Sean Hannity reported on the rally for Fox News, he marveled at the huge turnout. Which actually did not exist but sure seemed to be there when he showed film lifted from an earlier and much larger protest.