"If only there was a way to tinker with man," by Ben Franklin

In a PBS video I watched on the profile of Ben Franklin, there is a quote he makes after they talk about his ideas on invention. He says, "Now if there was only a way to tinker with man, so that people wouldn't treat each other like wolves." I was having another email conversation with a person where I commented that you can't get people to do the right thing unless you took away there free will (choice).

Perhaps it might comes to this in the future with cybernetics, who knows. Lets take Global Warming for example. FOR YEARS scientists have talked about this. Decades on conservation and pollution. Why now the big mindset push? Its becoming a "crisis". Wasn't it a crisis before? Yes, but now some real serious stuff could start happening destroying lives and billions in development.

So how do you get people to do the right thing? For years we were suppose to carpool or use mass transit. We don't. The freedom of a car and being able to go where you want, when you want and not argue about what station to be playing music during that time is too convenient, less of a burden. But what if you double the price of gas? What if you jack prices so high people cant afford to drive separately? That will work, or have an effect. Same goes for smoking. You cant get smokers to quit no matter how many facts you give them about health and reasons not to. They will until they get cancer or the health seriously fails. Like my father who quit but far too late and died of a heart attack 6 months later.

Drug users, alcoholics, or whatever the case may be. You cant get people to do the wise choice.

What gets me is when celebrities, rich people, beautiful people ~ you know, those folks who don't have anytime or never say Hi to the little people all of the sudden start talking about togetherness and how we have to rally to the cause because its "our" cause too and that it takes a massive response to solve issues. But where are these people "most" of the time? Getting their hands dirty or taking a physically active part in solving issues? No, they make statements or throw a "percentage" of their money at the problem thinking that will help or work.

Some coworkers and I had a short discussion about the Presidency in 2008 and who was I going to vote for and if I had ever voted. I said that I did donate to a campaign this year but regret it. The way they tear at each other, the way the media rips them- who cares.

Then I told them how I wrote a letter to a National TV talk show about the presidents since I was born. LBJ preached about a "Great Society" plan where he was going to end poverty and make several other national improvements. Nixon then took over, nixed LBJs programs and started his plan. Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton...all had plans. There have been about the same amount of Republicans and Democrats in the White House as I have been alive and I failed to see where any of them make a difference for my life? After all, everyone tells me Life is Do it Yourself. Only I am responsible for my life. Only I can save me. I am the one who has to get an education or figure out how to get one. Only I can get myself a good job. Only I can and must find a way to provide for the care and services that I need. The Nation aint going to do shit for me. My State, My city, the people in my apartment building. The president can only make promises, he then has to get the house to approve and they play each other. It is not a "united" nation. In a Capitalist society, its all about the individual, how to use and manipulate the system to advance over others.

If it were up to me, I would figure out a way to get rid of Congress. Turn the system back into a direct democracy where the people make the decisions. You cant corrupt 250 million Americans like you can Government officials and court judges.

At one time I use to care. Cared for everyone, became sad when children die of starvation, catastrophes happen, shuttles blew up, and all I was ever doing was beating myself up and dragging myself down over things I have no control over. They say if you want to help, donate money. Nah, that dont work. There a hundreds of charities, millions upon millions raised, yet still 40 years laters the same problems are still here.

Even the issues that existed since I was born are still here: Poverty, Earth Pollution, Costly Health Care, Energy Crisis, Gay Rights, Bigotry, Peace in the Middle East, Tension with Russia, Poor School systems....ALL STILL HERE. So unfortunately in my life time I have decided there is nothing I can do. I have written the powerful, the rich and the beautiful - people that could do something, people that have charisma and could maybe get a movement going. I waste my time no more. I dont think the Earth can be saved, or humanity. I know you hate to hear that sounds terrible doenst it? I should be more energetic, smiley and positive about the human race - I am for my own self, my own life and those rare few humans who show great quality. There is where I can make a difference. I leave saving the World up to the high society shmucks who, for the most part, fail the test.

In the movie 'Tombstone' starring Kurt Russel and Val Kilmer. There is a scene where the mayor of Tombstone seeks out Wyatt Earp and his brothers to help establish law, order and justice in town. Wyatt wants no part of it because he knows their is a price to pay mixing up in the troubles and him and his brothers are making a good living in Tombstone by milking it for all its worth. The mayor leaves in disgust saying, "You know you men are making a lot of money in this town. Good, good for you. But in the mean time, a lot of innocent people are getting hurt or killed. So please - dont let me take up any more of your precious time!"

Now expand that quote but instead insert Nation for town. There are a lot of people making good money off this nation. Good, good for them. But in the mean time....
So dont let anyone or anything take up your precious time.