The following is from Robert Ingersoll's “What I Want For Christmas†(1897) If I had the power to produce exactly what I want for next Christmas, I would have all the kings and emperors resign and allow the people to govern themselves. I would have all the nobility crop their titles and give their lands back to the people. I would have the Pope throw away his tiara, take off his sacred vestments, and admit that he is not acting for God, is not infallible, and is just an ordinary Italian. I would have all the cardinals, archbishops, bishops, priests and clergymen admit that they know nothing about theology, nothing about hell or heaven, nothing about the destiny of the human race, nothing about devils or ghosts, gods or angels. I would have them tell all their “flocks†to think for themselves, to be manly men and womanly women, and to do all in their power to increase the sum of human happiness. I would have all the professors in colleges, all the teachers in schools of every kind, including those in Sunday schools, agree that they would teach only what they know and not palm off guesses as demonstrated truths. I would like to see all the politicians changed to statesmen: Men who long to make their country great and free Men who care more for public good than private gain Men who long to be of use I would like to see all the editors of papers and magazines agree to print the truth and nothing but the truth, to avoid all slander and misrepresentation, and to let the private affairs of the people alone. I would like to see drunkenness and prohibition both abolished. I would like to see corporal punishment done away with in every home, in every school, in every asylum, reformatory, and prison. Cruelty hardens and degrades, kindness reforms and ennobles. I would like to see millionaires unite and form a trust for the public good. I would like to see a fair division of profits between capital and labor, so that the toiler could save enough to mingle a little June with the December of his life. I would like to see an international court established in which to settle disputes between nations, so that armies could be disbanded and the great navies allowed to rust and rot in perfect peace. I would like to see the whole world free - free from injustice, and free from superstition. This will do for next Christmas. The following Christmas, I may want more.
good idea lets beat up the kids in school.... other than that it seems pretty ron paulish. funny how that was written 100 years ago and we are further away from that happening now than we where back then.
Yea, but we must do what we can, no matter how little or how much. A little change is all we need. A very sweet Christmas, indeed. Thanks man. Hahaha, as you can see, we don't always get what we want. maybe next year bro Uhh, idk where you're getting the beating up kids part. I thinks it's shameful and pathetic that this was written a hundred years ago and that we are, in fact, further from it than before. It should be the other way around, it's hard to believe that so many people can be so self centered that we must WISH for peace and equality, and try to convince them that it's the right thing to do.