Question: Why do the needs of the few overshadow the needs of the many?
From a 17-year-old in Iowa
Answer: From Casey, Belinda, Trent, Mark and Shane, student panelists, Carlisle County High School, Bardwell, Ky.: It seems that the needs of a few have always overshadowed the needs of the many. We believe that this is because as human beings we are natural problem-solvers, and we are not stupid. We're always going to try to solve the easiest problem first.
So, the problems of the few will usually be easier to solve. Therefore, solving those easier problems will make us feel better because we think we have made progress and have at least accomplished something.
The worst part of all of this is that we are wasting time that could be spent on helping everyone, not just one group of people because "lost time is never found again."
Answer: From Pat and David: This is the time of year when society encourages us to try to help those whose basic needs for food and shelter (and, yes, holiday presents for children) are greater than their resources.
We do this as a nation because it's still true in our country that the "many" or the majority have basic needs met, while the few (by comparison) do not. The spirit of generosity that exists at this time of year is often wonderful.
However, once the holidays are over, focus on the needy frequently becomes less of a priority, and there's much more competition for the available resources.
That's when it often becomes a question of who can talk the loudest, organize the most effectively, or get society's attention the fastest. That's true whether it's adults wanting more money for specific medical research or students needing programs to deal with academic or behavior problems.
We suggest you take a good look and a good listen to what's going on in your world. Who's making sure their views are heard? Who's making sure their needs are spelled out? If you think the "few" are unfairly taking from the "many," then get organized and make sure your views and needs are heard and listened to.
While you're doing this, we strongly encourage you to try to better understand the needs of the few and to work for solutions year round.
Question: Why do people abuse things like love, friendship, loyalty and honesty? Why would people step on another person for their (own) gain?
- From a 16-year-old in Illinois
Answer: From Casey, Belinda, Trent, Mark and Shane, student panelists, Carlisle County High School, Bardwell, Ky.: It is hard to say why people abuse the most important things in life, like love, friendship, etc. It's probably because those are the things that we most often take for granted. We also abuse things for our own personal gain. People see opportunities to help themselves and often hurt others to get what they want.
People abuse love because it is not what they expected it to be. We abuse friendship many times and do not even know that we are doing it. Last, we abuse honesty because we are afraid of the truth and what it might bring.
No one can say that he's never betrayed a friend or told a lie or hurt someone who loved him. We think we convince ourselves that what is best for us is best for everyone. In that way, we even lie to ourselves.
Answer: From Pat and David: Maybe, sadly, your second question contains the answer to the first question. Some individuals do what they do, whether it's fair, kind or justifiable, because they're doing it for their own personal gain and that's the only thing that matters to them.
We wish more people would ask the type of question you're asking. If more people would let it be known that they don't think it's right or OK to be disloyal, dishonest, to step on others, or to be cruelly indifferent - maybe there would be fewer people getting away with hurting others.
P.S. From all of us at Talk to Us, happy holidays.
Send your questions and comments to Pat and David, c/o Universal Press Syndicate, 4900 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64112.
1993 Pat Schudy and David Wolff
Distributed by Universal Press Syndicate