Let's strive for a better society.

I want a society in which making lots of money isn't necessarily the primary object of life. In other words, an environment where the basic necessities are deemed sufficient. A job. A decent education. A place to live. Health care. A pension. And leisure time. One doesn't need blind ambition. Oh, it's all right to become monetarily rich. If that's what makes you happy. But it shouldn't become a necessity of life. I'd like to see a society in which everyone is moreorless guaranteed the basics. Nobody should be destitute. Nobody should starve to death. Or to be denied basic health care. And everyone should have the opportunity to learn to read and write. And to be treated fairly. And with respect. In my kind of society, everyone would be encouraged to pursue happiness. But I'd also want all of us to be cognizant of our responsibility for serving the common good. Which means helping each other. To achieve a society that comes reasonably close to benefiting all. Not an easy task. Because we won't all agree on what's the common good. But at least it's worth an on-going debate. Too often, we don't even think about the common good. Anyway, I know that we won't ever have an ideal society. But that shouldn't stop us from striving for it. --Jim Broede