Brave men slaughter the kind you describe below to protect the innocent and weak. I hope I would sacrifice myself to protect the innocent and weak and that I would seek with my utmost to prevent predators from continuing to hurt and destroy the innocent and weak. Strange as it may seem, I would still consider those predators, human beings and regret the waste and suffering of all involved.

Valkyrie, I hope that doesn't mean we are going to leave Grandma out on the ice because she can't keep up anymore. Thanks, Peter

dwillman, Sorry. I plead guilty and ask for mercy. I like this little prayer. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

fenyx, We've fought oppression before. We'll fight it again and win. Thanks, Peter

JQ, Well said. We'll get there, eventually. Hopefully, before there is too much more suffering. Thanks, Peter

Klash, You make a good point regarding selfish interest. I believe that higher selfish interest is to insure the survival of you and yours. Indeed, the best way to accomplish this is through altruistic service to others and to be selfless. I would agree with your concept regarding the good old boy network. Government appears to be under the sway of big business and not the people. Monopolies are serving a consolidation of this power and we must convince our representatives to balance the power rather than attempt to gather it to themselves. I too, fear government control and ownership of business. They tried that in China and in the Soviet Union and it didn't work. I believe cooperatives are the answer to balancing the power among the branches of government and business. Big business must somehow be forced to serve the interest of the people without government ownership. Here is part of the request I sent to my representatives.
How can we restore confidence and rebuild a kinder world designed for our benefit? What if General Motors was organized as a cooperative with no need for an adversarial relationship with a union?
Issue one share to every US citizen. 350 million at $5/share = $1.75 billion.
Issue one subordinate share to every GM employee. 300,000 at $5/share = $1.5 million.
Imagine how investors would feel about buying common stock shares in this company, legally required to act in the best interests of all US citizens and GM employees. Imagine how employee/owners would feel about working at this company. Imagine how consumers would feel about buying a car from a company in which they share ownership. Imagine the accumulation of savings as these non-redeemable shares increase in value while allowing individuals to spend their hard earned dollars on necessities. What if AIG was organized like USAA instead of the previous selfish organization and present government ownership? Thanks, Peter

Jan, Thank you. As Margaret Mead said, we can change the world. We all can make a small difference, baby steps leading to adolescents (where we are now?) and finally adulthood. This is part of what I sent to my representatives.

I believe there are three pillars to society. Namely: government/law, religion/morality, and commerce/labor. When there is an imbalance between these three and a pillar is used to further unsustainable goals, we suffer.

It has been shown how governments can go wrong, with millions murdered under Hitler, Stalin and the Chinese Revolution. When the selfish and the cruel are in control, we suffer.

Much has been said about a religious/moral imbalance, citing the Inquisition and the Crusades and a radical Jihad. It seems the selfish and the cruel, again forced their way to the top.

Today, I think we suffer oppression at the hands of big business and commerce. The selfish and the cruel are in control, once again. If we want to change the world for the better, how can we balance these three pillars? I would leave it to you all to figure out state and national legislation that might help balance these three pillars. Thanks, Peter

JQ,

Agreed. We can see the best and the worst of us when we look at families. We see can also see the extensions in our society, when the basics of family life are seen on the street each day. Kindness, cooperation, caring for children, courtesy, compassion. People helping each other for no other reason than that there is an opportunity to extend a hand to a fellow. I'm thankful to see such and it makes me glad to be alive.

‘A man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s heaven for?’

— Robert Browning

Jonathan, thank you for following the comments I’ve made. I am flattered and did not know such an option existed. It must be part of the console and downloaded software from IntenseDebate, which I have yet to install. Perhaps I shall.