[Manism]

I think you're all looking at the saviors the wrong way. From our shown perspective they're douchebags, but if you think about it, the Saviors the army Rick has been talking about, someone just beat him to the punch. Here's what I posted in a different thread..

The "Negan" we're introduced to will probably die, but I think we're looking at a Dread Pirate or Ras Al Ghul from Batman Begins type of situation. I think the Saviors have a real goal of clearing out the walkers, and they view the communities they extort for food necessary but less necessary than the mission. For all we know that guy might have just been doing what he thinks is best in the end, getting Rick's group in line and getting more supplies for the guys who are taking the fight to the zombies. From our perspective they look like douchebags, but if you think about it this is what Rick had in mind, the army is already there. So the question is if I'm right who replaces that guy as "Negan" and leads the saviors? Scene's gonna be a big fight, Rick wins, then Jesus congratulates him and say, "Congratulation, the Saviors are yours Negan"

[I R Biter]

I don't believe it's Rick's goal to terrorize people, and extort food from them.  Negan and crew very well might believe they're doing right....lots of tyrants and murderers believe their own bullshit.  Killing zombies doesn't entitle anyone to just take other people's food, leaving them to starve.  I doubt it would be difficult to get volunteers for an organized, large-scale zombie killing mission.

[Manism]

Right, so if he were too take control of the group he could change that. I don't know that that's what Kirkman is thinking, but it's a position I could see him dumping Rick into. If you've been planning on making a zombie killing army then trying to kill off a large group of already established zombie killers seems like a bad idea. Look, I just feel like good author's don't waste any dialogue, and Rick has been talking about establishing a large army, THEN the next big plot development is one gets dumped on us. It would give the book some direction, plenty of inter-character drama, and would be an interesting twist most wouldn't see coming.

[DaneBramage]

The Saviors do have guns and they used them when Abraham was assassinated and Eugene had Dwight's Nards for breakfast. Remember?