The sight of a Spitfire flanked by two Hurricane fighters flying low over London on May 9 undoubtedly stirred hearts and led to shedding of more than a few tears at the bittersweet memories of victory over the Nazi menace 70 years ago.

Winston Churchill promised the British people blood, sweat, toil and tears before victory was achieved, and he underestimated the terrible toll of war. Let us salute those who gave their lives and those who bravely survived. But rather than wallow or weep over a past we can't alter, it would be better to learn the lessons and work to secure a better future. Looking at recent political and economic developments, it's hard to be optimistic for the world.

Churchill also famously said that democracy was the worst form of government except for all the rest, a view that was surely vindicated by the U.K. general election and some of the sad commentary on it.