As much as I dearly love the Elves and am really not all that fond of the Valar, I think that our world would have profitted greatly by having those around us with very long life spans to demonstrate that "short term" isn't where it's at.

Yes, procrastination and greed pay off now, but the return is short-lived and usually ends up costing in the long run. But, because we silly edain are short-lived, we think more often in short-term. We desperately need those to whom we can look and ask, "OK, since you've been paying attention, which has been the best in the long run?"

When the Valar cajoled, coerced, manipulated and convinced the Eldar to vacate to Valinor, they were playing favorites with Eru's Children. And as one who got the short end of the stick - literally and figuratively - I reserve the right to complain, even if only in fan-fic. :-D