Saturday, August 20, 2016

Great Expectations 2016

... "you can't always get what you want ... but if you try sometimes, you get what you need"

What do we need?  

How's this:

To be safer from violence (from other humans) - fewer battles and terrorist acts would be a start; innocent people not having to fear their own police would be even better; adding being treated more equally and with greater fairness despite your religion, ethnicity, gender, or social status would bolster this basic need

To have enough healthy food and drink - nobody should have to subsist on cheap fast food

To have a stable place to live - everyone should have a home they can reasonably count on being available to them; one they own, rent, or share with others, but something reliably there

To have effective basic medical care - nobody should die or be incapacitated for lack of medical care; and nobody should have to face bankruptcy to pay for mandatory treatment

To have an education- everyone should have access to the education and training needed to function in the world; this shouldn't bankrupt or burden anyone with unmanageable debt

To have gainful employment - everyone should have the opportunity for jobs that will pay a wage capable of providing the basics of life

To have the potential for social and economic upward mobility - everyone should be able to improve their condition, whether through hard work, education, or just luck; whatever the means and how difficult the task it must be possible or else we deprive our society of hope; being "able to pursue happiness" or more simply have 'freedom of choice', is an important addition to this (even if not strictly basic by definition)

These seven are what I think are basic human needs. You might be able to add more.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

That's the list.

Very good.

I'm lucky to enjoy that list right now.

I pissed away my shot at education, but it turns out, I got what I need. Maybe even deserved.

Be well, oldironnow