Frank Capra's movie, It's a Wonderful Life, has become a traditional Christmas time favorite because it portrays truths that we all know are true, that touch our heart.
It has two main themes, one personal and one societal, and one is just as important as the other.
One is that when personal tragedy strikes, when all seems hopeless and we think we'd be better off dead, we need to count our blessings, see the silver lining in the dark cloud that hangs over us, and take a new tack and a new perspective so that we may proceed forward with faith and good will.
The other is that we can fight the greedy, wealthy, power-hungry robber barons only by providing an alternative to those who otherwise may fall victim to them.
Of course, we can and should update and expand our rights and laws so that the robber barons can no longer legally cheat and exploit people. But, in the meantime, we should realize that only good can overcome evil. Only love can overcome hate. Only truth can prevail over lies and falsehoods. And two wrongs don't make a right.
Those are the lessons of It's a Wonderful Life. Will we learn them?
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