A debate over Peace or Safety.

[pooja]

My home is a bit tumultuous at times, to say the least, when it comes to politics. My husband being Republican (though I persuaded him to vote democrat this time) and myself a democrat. He's not as passionate as I am. In fact, he rarely votes because he feels its a waste of time, so this time I got him to vote and it was for democratic party-line. Anyway, the latest go around is safety vs peace. He says we must have weapons for safety. I say without fear, we have ensuing peace. He says with 6 billion plus people on this earth that it will never happen. I say if we don't start growing up and learning to play fairly in the sandbox, there won't be a sandbox left to play in.

So, what do you think? Pessimists weigh in... Optimists solutions?

My ideas:
1. Create Community Relations Centers to focus on bringing people together. Know your neighbor.
2. Stop shopping at big box stores. Its leading to the decline of our nation. (For our sake, please don't do black Friday--If the store can discount that much and make profit, they can do it anytime.)
3. Know your family. Keep in touch. Realize time is way too short to miss out on that connection. Which leads in a bit to #2, if you aren't running around tomorrow outsourcing your jobs, then you'll have more money and time to spend with your relatives.
4. Figure out what is really important to you. How much do you think you need? Do you really need something that is causing someone else misery to give to you?

[brer cat]

1. I agree with your leanings, pooja.

However, I can't see a world without weapons happening. We've just gone too far for me to have any hope that we can turn back.

We can, and I pray our Dem congress will, change our emphasis. We must make sure that never again can a little dictator use our military for his personal war. That never again will our troops be sent to invade another nation without cause, and never again will our troops be called to occupy another nation.

Your suggestions are all excellent. I think #4 is tops. Too many Americans believe more is better, that he/she who has the most toys is the winner. I think our drive for more and more material possessions has harmed our country more than anything else. I would go so far as to suggest that our greed and self-centered attitudes made possible the imperial presidency of GW*.

Thanks for a thought-provoking Thanksgiving Day post.

[Deja Q]

2. Re #2:

Many people talk, in public, about how "big box" costs less than "small self-employer". Trying to tell them about small businesses -- which is the thing that makes America great -- is like telling a driver to cruise on an ice rink. It's not going to happen.

What we need are price caps so big businesses can't screw the little ones.

Indeed. Let's say 'peak oil' is a certainty. There will come a time when "big box" can no longer do business because they rely on oil and foreign goods. Communities will have to be rebuilt. (which ties in to your #1) Know thy neighbor. THAT keeps crime down more than anything else.

#4 ties into #2. Going into Big Box hurts SMBs. Since corporations are treated as people, the game works both ways. People are getting hurt.

[pooja]

3. I agree... If a producer wants to sell... they need to set a price and

stick to it. Walmart sets its own price and if the producer wants to sell, he gives into the price. A small business can't do the same.

[LWolf]

4. Fear will never "win" anything.

Fear is self-defeating, and self-destroying.

Peace trumps fear if we allow it. That's the key. People have to be willing to let go of fear.