Essential Goals for a Society (sort of a poll).

[The Madcap]

Given how divided our country seems to be, I'm curious what the different sides see as the essential goals for our society. By that, I mean those things that we aspire to have or be that are the focus of our actions. I'm not looking for how we get to the goals, but what those goals are. I have two general categories: concrete and abstract. So far, I (a registered Democrat) see the essential goals as:

Concrete

- Food supply
- Shelter
- Water
- Breathable air
- Functional environment
- Health system (could be simple or complex)
- Infrastructure (could be simple or complex)

Abstract

- Education
- Economy sufficient for necessities (not the method of economy)
- Legal framework (to set rules. I'm not saying here what those are)
- Manufacturing framework (to make things needed by the society)
- Arts (creativity, could be as simple as scrawling on rocks)

Are there any categories I am missing that would be considered fundamental? I am interested here in finding the common ground, if it exists, not the methods of getting there. Maybe I'm being too hopeful, but I would think most people would agree that we need the above at least. Any ideas? We have to get to a point in this country where we can agree on something. Otherwise, it's hopeless. So, I figured it would be best to start at the roots.

[Irish_Dem]

1. You forgot the part where the politicians and billionaires suck all the money out of the economy.

[The Madcap]

4. They're part of the "how"

Some people out there think that's ok. Not me, but some, apparently.

[Stargleamer]

2. If water is distinguished from "functional environment"

wouldn't air be too?

In any case, some people think that the arts are essential to us, whether they be music, literature, painting, etc.

[The Madcap]

6. Yeah, breatheable air should be on the list.

But we could survive for a while with dirty air, mounds of trash, etc. Note that I didn't say "clean" water.

Arts would be abstract. We could survive without them, but we wouldn't be happy.

[The Madcap]

7. Added to the list

Thank you!

[Think. Again.]

3. Protection of equality for all.

[The Madcap]

5. Part of the legal framework

I think of that as a "how," as there are many out there who don't think that's a worthwhile goal, apparently.

[Beastly Boy]

8. Access to all of the above

Not as a right or a privilege, but as an opportunity.

[Morbius]

9. Opportunity.

The chance for people to excel, to realize their potential. Without opportunity, society stagnates.

Also, people need to have hope, even if that hope is slight. I don't quite know how to express that as a social need, but it's definitely a human need.