Focus_on_Solving_the_Immediate_Problems_of_Today

In general, I agree with the speaker's assertion that problems of today usually need more urgent focus than the problems of the future. It is true that the anticipated problems should never be ignored. However, immediate problems are more important and thus need more attention. One reason for my fundamental agreement with the speaker is that the future is based on the present. If one government does not pay enough attention to the current problems, it may suffer from crisis and even collapsing the future. It is impossible for such country to solve any long-term problems. Consider the example of the former Soviet Union, which take participation in the arms race of Star Wars against U.S. in the last century. The former Soviet Union focused too much on the future problem – maintaining the same military strength against U.S. However, it failed to face the immediate problems, i.e. the economic problem, which leaded it to collapse. Thus, the accumulation of urgent problems may really destroy the ability of a government to solve the anticipated problems of the future. Another reason why I essentially agree with that speaker is that it is more efficient to solve immediate problems. It will be certainly better for the government to settle it at the beginning. For instance, the environment problem: When the government just faces this problem, one can control such problem easily by common methods like reducing the pollution, limiting the use of energy. However, if this problem is ignored for some time, and some serious consequence -- such as desertification, soil contamination -- has already been occurred, one could never resolve it without enormous money and time. Some other situations are similar, like crime problem, economic crisis. Having recognized that urgent problems need more attention, the government should nevertheless also concern the future problems. Still take the example of environment problem. As an immediate problem, the government may need to take measures illustrated before. But the those are not adequate, for a far-sighted one, it will also make plans about future, such as planting trees, research on alternative resource of energy. Otherwise, this problem can only be alleviated temporarily, but never be solved. Without the effort to solving anticipated problems, one society cannot be developed sustainably. If we classified all the problems into two categories as immediate problems and anticipated problems, then the anticipated problems toady is the immediate problems in the future. If the government can solve some of these problems today, -- Of course, one should solve the today’s problems first -- the society will need to confront less problems in the future. No doubtfully, this can enhance the society’s sustainability. In sum, to guarantee the stability of a society, the government should focus on present problems; to guarantee the sustainability of a society, one also need to pay attention to anticipated problems. Yet, no stability, no sustainability. A healthy and balanced government should certainly concern more on resolving immediate problems rather than trying to solve the future problems.