Ideas for making this a better world

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Everyone complains about the crass commercialization of Christmas, but let’s face it, when push comes to shove, we’re all in the fracas, standing in long, hot lines, waiting to buy the latest in toys, electronics or fashions.

We tend to roll our eyes at those among us who stand peacefully aside, hands folded, wishing for peace on Earth, good will toward men. When one is amid the stampede, those words often ring hollow or insincere. “Good will toward men.” Really? What does that mean?

If you were given one wish for the betterment of mankind this Christmas — and guaranteed it would occur — what might that be?

Cameron Scholtz, Highland: “My wish would be that everyone who wanted to work would find a job. So many of my buddies and family members are out of work ... it’s hard to be joyful. Meaningful work is at the heart of our self-worth, and this is becoming very destructive to us as a society.”

Kathleen DePre, Crown Point: “I would give women the last word when it comes to making decisions about war. Who first believed that hatred, anger, killing and destruction were any way to settle differences? All war does is fuel a never-ending craving for revenge. It’s addictive, like a bad drug.”

Peter Marbella, Schererville: “I would like to see a mandatory, factory-installed device in all automobiles to remind people not to use cell phones while driving. It would start with something like a little electrical tingle — not unpleasant, but just enough to make you mindful, like those electronic fences for dogs. The longer you hold the connection open, the more aggressive the reminder. It might add to the price of a car, but we’d all be better off.”

Madeleine Ryder, Winfield: “I would wish guns of any kind would be banned and destroyed. If guns became obsolete, there’d be no need for guns for protection. I know that sounds very simplistic but, as a culture, we don’t seem to be concerned how many young people we’re losing to this needless form of violence.”

Anne Easton, Crown Point: “It’s not the first time I’ve heard this, but I just read another article on the problem of world hunger. What might be surprising to some is, there’s no shortage of food in the world; we have plenty to feed everyone.

“What’s keeping food from the people, especially in Third World countries, are politics and personal greed, and that’s simply unacceptable. We’ll fight over religious differences or oil, but where is our outrage on how the food supply is being manipulated? Food should be a right for all, rather than a privilege for some.”

Steve Bouward, Dyer: “I would wish for a change of heart for those who feel a need to abuse others — from 10-year-old bullies to those who beat up on women, children, the elderly and animals. This violence has to stop.”