If you had the power to change one thing--what would it be?

You have the power to change one thing in the world, what would you do? No one can stop you, or shoot down your abilities.

This change would happen irregardless of current laws or other documents that are in place.

If you knew you could do any ONE thing to change the world, and you would be successful, no one could stop you--what would it be? What could potentially shape the world for years to come? What ONE thing has that potential?

Would you put a woman on the Supreme Court? Would you make something illegal or legal? Do something for the environment?

I'm torn between a few things. One, making hate illegal, by abolishing the ability of hate groups to exist in the United States. Or two by making it impossible for anyone to ever question, legislate, or criminalize women's rights again... Or abolish the electoral college completely so everyone's votes do count.

Not sure which--as i'm pretty passionate about these areas.

So, while I'm trying to decide, please share how you would change the world!
:hi:

;)

:rofl: :popcorn:

such a vital need, to eat--something we all take for granted, and so many others can't.

Thanks Crazy Guggenheim!

I think that's how I'd do it. Then, as long as the Sun holds out, nobody will have to go hungry.

Tucker

You not only contributed an idea, you gave an idea of how it might be accomplished!

Really good place to start. If everyone had enough food and water to survive and live humanely, then I think most of the things wars are fought over would disappear. :hi:

:shrug:

:popcorn:

:D :D

I think I am getting it right. From Clifford Simak's "City" the Jain philosophy was something that enabled/forced everyone on the planet to see the other side of an issue. That's pretty big.

Or there was Bastian's last wish from the Neverending Story II. That one scene made the whole cheesy movie worthwhile.

one very BIG thing, though.

How different would everything be if we could ALL see things from the other guys's side. Wow.

Good one, thank you hfojvt!

http://www.religioustolerance.org/jainism.htm

I'm not familiar with "City" but it sounds good.

Tucker

it was Juwain, which I conflated with Jainism. I love Simak. City won a nebula or something like that, but my favorites would be "Way Station" and "All Flesh is Grass" and "Time and Again".

If people wanted to settle a dispute they'd have to do it with words, not with fists or weapons.

. . . and I see you as a future Miss America contestant! ;)

Sorry, I don't have the looks or the body for that. I'm also too gay, too atheist and too opposed to the status-quo.

;)

:hi:

I think I would like living in the world with your change! Your change would save the lives of all the men/women that have gone to war...

If only...

Unfortunately I don't see war ever going away :cry:. As "The Terminator" said of humans, It is in your nature to destroy yourselves.

Since common chimps engage in war, I think it's probably a hardwired behavior that can't be gotten rid of. :-(

Tucker

;-)

isn't it?

But hey, we're just imagining--so in the world you could make this happen, war and fighting not inherent. Poof--it's gone! LOL!

The Outlawry of War. It suggested that if all countries made war illegal, then journalists (Hearst, Schultz, etc.) or politicians in any country who tried to beat the drums of war would be prosecuted instead of followed.

And dealing with disputes by words can be just as painful as with weapons. Words are cruel. Put an end to envy and you do away with a lot of the hate and meaness and bad feelings that end up causing wars, envy being the catalyst for so much of the hate.

I mean think about it, if we didn't want what the other person has (oil, popularity, money, power, et cetera) we wouldn't end up hating them and making them our enemy and lauching the wars against them, including the war of words that can be so destructive. Destructive to no only ourselves and the person we envy, but to the community we share. JMHO :shrug:

What the world needs now is love, sweet love.


On edit: remember in Silence of the Lambs what Anthony Hopkins said? "we sin because we covet"

I would be more generous, more compassionate, more understanding.

Generosity is, however, a complicated concept.

;)

is myself. Attempting to change other people's thoughts, feelings and words strikes me as meddling and futile, except in the most extreme of circumstances. :shrug:

But isn't it possible that by changing yourself, you can affect changes in others?

;)

I will say that the best reason for changing myself is to make myself better able to relieve the suffering of other sentient beans. :)

:spank:

:rofl:

:eyes:

If you water a flower, will it not thrive and grow? If you share some love with those around you will they not experience a different world?

But I do not want to meddle with your thoughts. I maintain that I am not as big a part of the problem as the rest of the world is. Otherwise why would I engage in the perhaps futile task of trying to educate and/or amuse others? Which does not mean that others do not often do the same for me.

It's your choice and it's what you want to do. Becoming educated as a result of your teaching is your students' choice.

Watering a flower is _your_ behavior. You can choose to do it or not do it.

I would never call your belief system wrong, though. Perhaps we all are on our own individual paths and that's the way it's supposed to be? :hi:

They would embrace the arts - even non-realistic art, and plays that make people think, and music that you don't just dance to, but you actually listen to - and embrace intellectualism and America would become 99% intellectually aware art-appreciaters, instead of America being 99% people who could be genocided with no loss to the evolution of humanity, except, of course, for the instant and total lack of people to work in the factories making shit that is destroying the earth.

The affects would be so far reaching, if people could/would embrace the arts and LEARN from it--if education, a REAL education were a priority....

:thumbsup:

corporate execs, the freepers, and all the sheeple maroons who follow them all just DISAPPEAR FOREVER. POOF!!!

What a wonderful world it would be! :)

I LIKE it! (sigh) What a wonderful world, indeed! :D Blissfully happy considering the possibilities...

Put a cap on campaign spending, make it illegal for industries to donate to campaigns, and allow ALL candidates the same amount of free air time on TV and radio.

Think how different our last few elections would be with this...

that could aid earthquake victims or fund AIDS research.

and whining about how it's all liberals faults--with their 'social programs' etc. When the reality is they just want the ability to spend on what they want, when they want, particularly their idiotic campaigns--that do nothing of value for the world.

I hear you. Makes me sick, too. I like your one thing!

I'd go back to the early 1920's and do whatever was neccessary to make sure Prescott Bush never had any children OR funded Hitler's third reich.

In 99% of circumstances, I wouldn't advocate violence as a solution. But if you could take out the guy who both funded Hitler and fathered the worst crime family this country has ever known, wouldn't it be worth it, in terms of the lives that would be saved?

It's kind of like that Star Trek episode where Kirk, Spock, & Bones go back to Earth in the early 1930's and they find out that they have to let Joan Collins get hit by a car in order to ensure that the Allies would win World War II. My plan would just go a step further and make sure that Hitler never came to power in the first place. Not to mention Poppy, Junior, and Jeb.

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is limitless. So I would say time travel definitely possible. Preventing someone from conceiving--yep! You could do that, too!

Kudos on a most excellent idea!:thumbsup:

The repercussions of that one act are endless. And endless to the positive side, I think.

could really change the world!

Literally take all the people in the world responsible for creating and promulgating the propaganda you see on your television screens and in your newspapers right now, and make it impossible for them to lie. I could put more details up here, but the contamination of one of our most basic and sacred information systems is what is doing the most damage to this country at this time.

Imagine how different things would be, if we ALL got the truth ALL the time?

There wouldn't be a Fox news anymore, would there?

:applause:

would make the exact same amount of salary.
No poor class no middle class no upper class.

ALOT! Our world would be so much fairer--you may even eliminate crime with this one, samplegirl!

Thank you!

no more damn storms!

would save lives, and prevent many from losing their homes and jobs!

:thumbsup:

decimated by disease and warfare and sucessfully defended themselves from near extinction

it breaks my heart that an entire group of people are near extinction.

Great solution--your one would definitely change the world!

:evilgrin:

Everybody gets free Health care. No more war, and lets find a cure for all cancers.:hippie:

I just love that so many DU'ers are thinking of things that would have such far reaching affects! You guys are amazing!

How different would the world be, if everyone here got health care--the same health care?

It was very upsetting, when I worked briefly in health care, to find that some doctors were biased in their treatment of patients depending on the health care they had... Just disgusting. :puke:

So many sick people can be helped with this science. it breaks my heart thatt hey would rather listen to Dubya than to a science book. I also hope someday that these red necks get sued from practicing medicine without a license.

the cure for all cancers?

Thank you, DanCa--It's nice to hear that you would use your power to do one thing to do something to help so many!

:yourock:

That would be heaven on earth! :hi:

:hi:

No more poor people--and in the process, you'd probably eliminate hunger, too.

Wow! :yourock:

But since that's not coming anytime soon, the only thing I can do is fight for my right to be educated.

HUZZAH!

:D :D

there are no rules--you have absolute power to change ONE thing. So you could abolish idiocy! Excellent--

Think how different our govt. would be, if there were no more idiots...

;)

Thank you for contributing! :hi:

:kick:

:hi:

I love it. :hi:

:hug:

and brainstorm what could/would change the world? You never know, someone may become inspired and actually FIND a way to do the very thing they see here...

Thanks for the compliment--so glad you like it!:hug:

I'm especially fond of the post about controlling the weather. No more storms would be okay with me.

you are welcome & deserving :hug:

I really, really don't like being a second class citizen in my own country.

and I'd love to see it in my lifetime!

Thanks for your input!

Just like what they did to the Dems. Turnabout is fair play!

:)

The root of all evil.

It seems such a little thing, but it isn't. How different would many people be, if they weren't functioning in the realm of their 'ego'?

or not high enough. Most folks with egos that I know actually have a very low self esteem, so low that they have to prove how great they are and so low, that they covet what others have, whether it be wealth, power, love, etc. Those with egos have to continue to acquire that which belongs to others to prove they are better than others and if they think they are not better than others, that would mean they have a low self esteem.

I stick with envy http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=4289251&mesg_id=4290292

Maybe the two are so tied together, you have to do away with both. :shrug:

We all have ego. Ego is the "self" so to speak. Envy is based in ego, as are all of the "deadly sins" in the list. Envy is a great choice, as it also drives greed.

It's not about how you think of yourself, or self esteem. I know that the normal, accepted definition of ego usually creates that type of thought. When used that way, it's a heightened ego (thinking even MORE highly of oneself).

Every single problem, every single evil, every single negative thing is based in ego.

How do you remove self from the picture, how do you do away with it and still have a human race?

Maybe it is that we need to improve the image of self, focus more on self acceptance, self esteem and self love. Love thy neighbor as thy self. See ourselves as worthy of love, then we can love. If we don't want folks to take from us, we won't want to take from others.

In every thought, word and action, consider how it affects others, the world, and think, speak and act in the best interest of all. That's a really scaled down explanation. There are entire religions based on it.

factor, self love, self acceptance, self esteem. When you love yourself and are comfortable in your own skin, then you can love and love as it is supposed to be. For the sake of loving, not to obtain, not to acquire, not to possess, but for the sake of love. Then you can love unconditionally and love your brother as yourself. If you love yourself. Self love, true self love, as a holy being, as a temple, as a child of god, as a god, is the key to loving others and to recognizing how your life effects others. So ego/self cannot be tossed aside, it has to be nourished and loved.

Again, the people I know with the biggest egos are those that have very little self-esteem. They look beyond themselves for happiness, for self-worth, for acceptance, for love.

of self, love for your embodiment, sans importance of "self" over others.

That is why self or ego cannot be summarily dismissed. If you are content with who you are, if you don't look outside yourself for happiness, for fulfillment, then you can appreciate those around you and truly love. You can feed their spirits and not covet them. You can bask in their glory and in their achievements. You will not know envy, you will be able to know unconditional love.

This change would happen irregardless of current laws or other documents that are in place.

I would send people who say "irregardless" back to 6th grade english class. ITS NOT A WORD, DAMMIT ! ! !

:)

:mad:

Are you always so tactless and discourteous?

Or are you saying that the one thing you would do is become national 'spell check' for people on internet boards, pointing out their obvious stupidity and thus making yourself feel superior in the process?

I put a smiley on it.

but you know its not a word ... really

what I know? Are you a mind reader in addition to being tactless? If I didn't know it was a word, I may have not used it.

Why do you need to do this, really?

Edited to add--all you've managed to do is alienate another board member with your condescending post. A smiley didn't do anything but tell me you are passive aggressive.

Just in case you didn't know--it's rude to correct others the way you have, under the guise of being helpful, by adding a smiley to a rude post. I also daresay if you didn't have the anonymity of the web I doubt you would be so snarky.

look, I apologized.

I didn't intend to be "snarky" or offensive. I admit I have a pet peeve about using certain words, but I am sorry if I offended you. Rather, I am sorry that you were offended by something that I posted. Believe me, it bothers me a great deal.

However, I see worse than that on here all the time and so did not think it was particularly offensive. As a matter of fact, I believe there was a thread about this very grammatical error recently.

I apologize again because I have been on the recieving end of some very hurtful rude posts after which I felt it necessary to leave this community for a while. I would never intend to alienate anyone else in that way.

I am sorry

handgun marksmanship coaching.

LOL! Not a fan of 50 cent I take it?

:rofl:

don't is hatred, war, greed, nationalism, racism, etc., etc.

isn't it? That we all have so much--and some have so little, and continue to go without.

When I worked in restaurants, I was astonished by all of the food that was disposed of regularly. Why? Portions are typically just too big and corporate restaurants are more concerned with selling than they are with anything else. So we were told to push appetizers, drinks, desserts, etc.

Most couples could share a salad and entree and not waste anything--beyond that is just too much food and it goes in the trash. THAT always bothered me, seeing food being thrown away and wasted when so many are hungry...

I really think the root of many, if not most, of the world's problems is that neglected children usually become damaged, angry adults.

I think you are right on that point--wouldn't it be amazing to stop people that shouldn't be parents in the first place from becoming them. As well as giving truly loving people children that they desire.

:applause:

I LOVE your idea, LeftyMom!

Good with the UN, that built upon the Successes of the Inspection regime in Iraq. Backed by armed intervention of an international Police Force, which is assembled and armed. Saddam Hussein is handed a warrent for his Arrest. "His People" hand him over to the UN and a World Court. They work out their differences amongst themselves.

Think of how many people would still be alive today if one supreme court justice had an acute attack of conscience. In my world, one did.

that's a world I want to live in!

Your one change, would have PROFOUND affects for all of us!

into our food, laundry detergent, personal care items, the air we breathe and the water we drink would somehow be stopped and people could no longer buy the things that poison their neighbor's air and water.

:applause:

Isn't it sad that these companies seem to have no conscience?

It's just as sad that so many people buy their products. I had to spend most of a gorgeous day indoors today because my neighbors were all running their dryers after using those toxic "fresh-smelling" detergents in their laundry. It makes me terribly sick. No one seems to care what makes those scents, but it's pretty nasty stuff.

I'm so sorry to hear that others choices are making you ill! I sure do hope that you are feeling much better soon!

:grouphug:

:grouphug:

this means an end to hunger and poverty and war. everyone will be content. when everyone is happy then they whill have no reason to hate.

I want to be able to push both my body and mind to the limits of human potential.

To be able to keep running while that cramp in your stomach is screaming to stop.

To be able to work late into the night, into the morning, afternoon and night again.

To be able to stand laughing in front of my worst fear.

To be able to withstand the temptations of procrastination.

bah I suddenely feel so inadequate, I'll get it down one day, through blood, sweat, and lose of sanity but I'll get there. A mastery of my own emotions and urges would lead me to live a much more interesting life. Enough of what it would do, I'm gonna go work damnit, I'll beat lazyness eventually damnit!

I am bi-polar and manage with lithium.
I have a B.A. from AZ State in histroy.
I got a series 7 and 63 license when I worked in brokerage.
2 months ago I graduated from paralegal school and now hold a job in the field.
But if people knew I was "mentally ill" it would blow their minds.
what am I supposed to be the old lady pushing a shopping cart?

Kathryn STone for achieving so much with such a challenge in your life. :hug:

I agree, mental illness is still stigmatized and that needs to change. Your one change would benefit so many that have been considered somehow 'less than' for so long. With your one change, most that were made homeless by the Reagan Administration, when mental health facilities were shut down wouldn't be homeless anymore.

any state that set up kitchens so that any pregnant woman could get a nutritious meal, any time, like a steak dinner, really, something for the body and the soul, would be money ahead in one year. and nirvana in 40 years.

I'm sure many pregnant women would appreciate! :hi:

maternal stress leads to violent offspring. 1 to 1. whether that stress is poverty, drugs, domestic violence, physical or mental illness, bereavement, whatever ill can befall a woman, it will interfere with development. the physical and emotional support of a hot meal when you are hungry would lessen that burden to everyone's benefit.

My first thought was hate groups, get rid of them. Then I thought about women's rights, make sure they exist from now on with no infringement.

Well, tell me which one you want, then I'll take the other! ;) That way we'll have both bases covered!

It's nice to know someone else is passionate about those areas. Sometimes it gets lonely (until I come here of course), thinking I'm the only one that cares about the future of women...

:hi:

barring that, your underwear.

:)

Thank you--we should all have clean underwear!

create a source of unlimited, energy easily available to everyone on the earth, tolerance of every kind would be practiced by all people at every level in every nation, or a true democracy would exist in our country...
for the people, by the people. I believe that once upon a time we had this, but lost it, allowing it to be taken from us.

would solve SO MANY of our problems! This would eliminate the alleged need for oil--and the horrible, unholy wars that are waged because of it. You would also help to save the environment...

That's HUGE! :applause: Thank you for sharing your ideas here! :hi:

It would tip the balance of power back into the hands of all people, not just us, but those who reside in the poverty-stricken third world countries.

No more wars anywhere in the world. No need for weapons, so all the money spent for weapons would be spent on the welfare of the planet. World hunger would be solved. The poor would prosper and the greedy rich would be leveled down a niche or two.

to see people like you respond to this thread with 'world peace.' It's so awesome that good people like you exist that want such a wonderful thing for the world!

:thumbsup:

Legalizing pot would also solve many problems! Think about medical marijuana and all the people that are helped by that. Think about all the people that are taking up space in jail, just for being in possession of a half ounce or other such nonsense. Think about poor Tommy Chong that went to jail, just for selling pot paraphenalia...

You'd solve many, many problems--it's not petty at all. I was actually hoping someone would suggest this!

:applause: I'm happy you did! :woohoo:

instead of *.