pinning the problem.

War is not the problem.

Murder is not the problem.

Nuclear weapons are not the problem.

Economy is not the problem.

Exploitation is not the problem.

Money is not the problem.

Communism is not the problem.

Mass starvation is not the problem.

AIDS Pandemic is not the problem.

Human trafficking is not the problem.

Prostitution is not the problem.

Teenage pregnancy is not the problem.

Masturbation is not the problem.

Premarital sex is not the problem.

Abortion is not the problem.

Single-parent headed homes are not the problem.

Unfaithful spouses are not the problem.

Divorce is not the problem.

Extra-marital affairs are not the problem.

Marijuana is not the problem.

Alcohol is not the problem.

Racism is not the problem.

Chauvinism is not the problem.

Feminism is not the problem. (Nor the solution, mind you).

Obama is not the problem.

Neither is Kim Jong Il.

Homosexuality is not the problem.

Poverty is not the problem.

The problem is this.

The problem is our lust, which leads to adultery.

The problem is our anger, which leads to hatred.

The problem is our pride, which leads to manipulation,

contempt, defensiveness, bitterness, ability to hurt others.

The problem is our selfishness, which leads to thievery,

avarice, pursuit of misplaced desires, mentalities of ’self’ as first.

The problem is this.

It is our capability to produce war for the wrong reasons.

Our capability to create nuclear weapons for the wrong reasons.

Our capability to use money selfishly, maniputively, foolishly.

The problem is our inclination to hoard and not give,

defend and be invincible, gain power but not humility;

seek instant gratification of pleasure, give in during the heat of the moment–

instead of waiting in expectation for something better and much more

fulfilling.

The problem is our unquenchable need to feel significant, competent, adequate, affirmed–

our capability to extort and to scheme, not to think about our brothers and sisters in need.

The problem is our tendency to make assumptions about one another before we even know their names

we like to feel important and mighty, always right, always in control.

The problem is this:

that we look to other men and women to satisfy our loneliness, our need for emotional and sexual fulfillment;

that we spend our lives building fake empires that burn down at the end of the day because they are but an

ARTIFICE

The problem is this:

that we are offered one, single, solo, amazing; breathtaking; indescribable; incomparable life…

and we don’t give credit where credit is due,

we forget to thank the Giver for the Gift,

and we screw it all up–

The problem is us

The problem is us

The problem

is

us.