At once a better government

There is no way to peace, peace is the way. A.J. Muste

But, to speak practically and as a citizen, unlike those who call themselves no-government men, I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government. Let every man make known what kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one step toward obtaining it.  - Henry David Thoreau

These two ideas have been bouncing around in my head while I've been dealing with familial conflict where my brother and his wife are enabling my kids' to have "time with family" without me (or Jennie). This has been going on for some time. Meanwhile, my parents, by trying to "get the whole family together" have asked H and C to come to Peoria for Xmas, without me or Jennie.  Suddenly, the whole family is involved in this enabling.... perpetuating the problem.  

Enable refers to the positive act of helping someone accomplish something that could not be done alone. But enabling also refers to the act of helping someone in such a way that rather than solving a problem, it is in fact being perpetuated.

In this view, enabling behavior is any purposeful action or inaction that allows individuals struggling with addiction to continue their bad habits, without assuming any responsibility for the outcome.

Some signs of enabling: trivialize bad behavior, make excuses, help cover actions.

Thoreau, and Muste, are saying that you need to take action to get to the place you want to be: good government, a peaceful world.