Star Trek and Hobbits

I have an idea.  I know it's kind of scary to actually believe that anyone could possibly have an original idea, but I think I might have one.

What would happen if we combined the world of Star Trek and the world of Hobbits?  Just imagine it: a world with the science and technology of Star Trek combined with the common sense and earthiness of Hobbits?  What would a world like that look like?

I love both of those universes.  With Star Trek you get all the cool hi-tech gadgets and gizmos along with an advanced civilization that has not only the world unified but has put an end to poverty, disease, war and greed.  With the Hobbits you get the peace and quiet that comes from a simple life of farming as well as a the simple enjoyments of good food and drink with long time friends and family.  The one thing that they both seem to have in common is the lack of greed and poverty and a desire to see their universes live in peace.  What a concept.

Back in July and early August we heard much political rhetoric as to how the people of one party or the other was going to cause massive damage to our economy, if they didn't compromise on taxes or on spending.  And that the middle class was going to die a nasty death, adding to the number of poor in this nation.  So they came together and sang Kumbaya and fixed nothing while patting themselves on the back for doing so.  Now I will grant you the Kumbaya was preferable to all the insults and nastiness, but in the long run, none of what happened is going to fix anything.  They just reset the fuse that was all.

This is a question I have to ask myself, as well as you, what does happen if the government money dries up?  I am a disabled vet.  I depend on the pay I receive, just like many others do, so what happens when it all falls apart and who, ultimately, is responsible for the care of the poor and needy?  A friend of mine answered that question one day with the answer being "you are".   I agree with that sentiment, to a certain point, that if a person is able to do something to improve their situation then they should, but what do you do with those that are truly poor and destitute?  Who then is really responsible for them?

In both the worlds of Star Trek and the Hobbits you see worlds where that isn't an issue.  Have you ever heard of a skinny Hobbit?  Or how about someone going into Star Fleet because they were too poor for college?  Nope, it doesn't happen in their worlds.

Many people that I know would instantly say that the government is responsible for caring for the needy and that they should provide everything from housing to schooling all on the tax payers backs.  Or better yet, we should tax the super wealthy to fund these programs and make them pay more of thier money to help the poor.  Others would suggest that we could cut spending on useless programs that don't benefit anyone and use some of those funds to help pay for all the social programs that actually do help.  In other words, no matter what aisle you swing from, it's the governments responsibility.

Now, I am not arguing and suggesting that there weren't some good ideas out there from both sides of the aisle, not to mention some rather creative ones I read about on various blogs, but two things have been missing from this whole debate; you and me.

I realize that we can't turn back the clock to the old days of barn raising and neighbors actually caring for each other and I realize that we don't live in either the Hobbit or Star Trek universes, but is it really that hard of an idea about going back to the notion of communities caring for their own, to give a hand up, not a hand out?  Have we become so accustomed to thinking only of ourselves that we willingly give our own responsibility for our neighbors to the government?  And do you really believe that the powers that be really care whether or not you get any services or benefits?  If they did they would never have allowed for things to get as bad as they have.  In the end they are really only interested in the next election and trying to make them selves look good.

So I see that we really have two choices, we can continue with all the political rhetoric and the singing of Kumbaya, while accomplishing nothing, or we can try to make our own world, starting with you and me, a little more Hobbit or Star Trek like and pray that it spreads to everyone else.

Beam me down Scotty I want some Long Bottom Leaf and some ale from the Shire.