What do I say to him when he says...

Question

What do I say to someone who says they can't help solve problems globally because we have problems locally?

"First they came for the Jews

and I did not speak out

because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Communists

and I did not speak out

because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists

and I did not speak out

because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me

and there was no one left

to speak out for me."

Pastor Martin Niemöller

Doesn't this apply to problems abroad? If we don't stand up for others who will stand up for us when we need help?

This person says he has issues helping adults because they should figure out their own problems! But there are opressive governments that prevent that!

What do I say? Is my argument valid?

Answer 1

Be honest to yourself. Stand up for what you believe in. You don't need approval from anyone. Do what you think is right, you are your own person.

Answer 2

To an extent yes. Oil is a factor and manipulation of Humanitarian Impulses. Still to act may be required. Speaking of which to help with local problems at the same time may help prevent such as to stop them before they formulate is possible. Take Neo -n***s for example they exist in The U.S.A. and Europe. The fact is the war against n***s is not over. A war was not fought against them but against Communists and Trade Unionists after The War and before it. Most of the elements were in place except for Genocidal Anti-Semitism.  In Germany before WW2  local n**i Groups were not seen as a war problem so were just jailed like they are now in The United States and Canada. Were there an organized Hunting Party World Wide between opposing forces and  Neo n***s this may change. Another problem is Govs opposed to all citizens having control of monetary capital. Also someone said here Yahoo gives out the adresses to The Gov of suspected terrorists or free thinkers. Matters not as for good deals in stores people might even live in concentration camps or accept barcodes on their arms.

Answer 3

WE NEED TO STAY OUT OF OTHER COUNTRIES BUSINESS.

Answer 4

Your poem is  valid for world wide issues. If i was you, I would respond that some adults were never given the skills (as children) to learn how to "work it out". In addition, yes some governments are so oppressive that they will not allow their people to grow and develop, that is their "method" of ruling.

Good Luck with your argument, hope I gave you a few more points.

Answer 5

I understand your argument but look at it this way, take it to a personal level, since nations are composed of persons — nobody can effectively help someone else physically unless they are strong enough to do so. And in matters of ethical help, experience shows that the only way to change someone else's way of thinking is by providing a better example of how to live. Force never works, it only results in resentment.

I agree with your friend's argument. But I also agree with the aim of yours. We need to have zero oppression, and zero corruption here at home before we can say anything valid to oppression and corruption elsewhere. But then, when we do, let us speak out and show by example what is possible. Recall that the French Revolution, the American Revolution, the Hungarian Revolt, and the dissolution of the USSR did not happen through interference by free nations, but through the will of citizens encouraged by the promise of liberty for themselves.

Answer 6

Well, many people have their own way of thinking.  It is possible to change anyone's way of thinking, but it would be very difficult for many people.  You do have a valid argument, but keep in mind, that some people are stubborn, and couldn't see the light, if it was right in front of them.  Those people are set in their ways and it's very difficult to get them to see your point of view.  I agree with you, that if we don't help others, then who will be there to help us?  Some times help comes from the most unlikely places, usually it's because we are an unlikely source of help towards someone else.  Hope this helps.

Answer 7

I ask this, when they came for the Jews, why didn't the Jews speak up?  Maybe if more people tried to fix local problems first, they wouldn't turn into international crisis, for example, if the locals put Hitler in check for his violence when he was just a local thug in a pub, could WW2 been avoided?