AMERICAN VALUES FOCUS GROUP POSITION STATEMENT
The American system of government holds the promise of providing the greatest benefits for the greatest number of people of any system on earth. Despite numerous differences, the founders of our country worked together to create a government based upon the principle of respect for the rights of each individual. The system that they created reflects their faith in the ability of human beings to participate in their own self-governance. To fulfill this promise we need legislators, executives and judges who promote our most basic values, which include not only protecting our rights but working together to maintain and protect our freedoms. Continual vigilance by all Americans is required to protect the core value of dignity for every human being upon which our country was founded.
Our Declaration of Independence states that we are entitled to “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” This means that we have a right to live our lives as we see fit without interference from others or from our government, that we can express ourselves without censorship as long as we do not harm others, and that we should be allowed to pursue our dreams. But, as stated in the preamble to our Constitution, the rights of individuals must be balanced with a responsibility to promote the "general welfare.” This means that we must monitor our government to be sure that the rights of all are protected. If the rights of some are violated then the rights of all are threatened.
Our values must always be reinterpreted and reapplied for the times in which we live. This only works when we emphasize dialogue − not differences − to solve the challenges we face. What is required of us is to work in a sprit of compromise toward solutions to the issues of our day − between both individuals and nations − while respecting the dignity of all. We must hold our leaders responsible for creating and implementing a vision of how we can bring our shared values into the everyday workings of our government and the fabric of our society.
We are a group of concerned citizens who meet on a regular basis to discuss how to bring the values upon which our country was founded to the ongoing issues of our day. We believe that those who serve our nation in a position of public trust must maintain a clear focus on actions that are likely to move our country toward the fulfillment of our core values. Below we have outlined ten areas of focus that we consider to be top priorities for those who hold public office or aspire to do so.
1. THE POLITICAL PROCESS
One of the key “blessings of liberty” as promised by our Constitution is that the voice of the average person be counted as part of the political process. We must educate people about the importance of participation in the voting process, beginning in our schools. Every office holder and candidate for office must work toward a system which values all individuals. Interest in democracy is increased by positive campaigns which present a vision for the future rather than emphasizing the shortcomings of other candidates. Our voting system must count every vote and level the playing field between incumbents and those who aspire to office. Accurate information about the actual legislative and voting backgrounds of candidates should be provided to the public. Finance laws should promote equal exposure for all major candidates. There must be public exposure of all campaign finance sources, including so-called “soft money.” Campaign irregularities must be thoroughly investigated. To increase voter participation, changes such as simpler voting registration procedures and alternative voting days, which work well in other countries, should be considered
2. THE ENVIRONMENT
It is essential that our leaders commit themselves to the protection of our environment. They must give precedence to objective scientific research and base government policies and action upon this research, while not imposing their own pre-set ideas upon science. Our leaders must outline clear environmental objectives and inform our citizens when a spirit of sacrifice is needed, and then outline measures needed to move toward our goals. This includes educating people about the effects of our lifestyles on the environment, making them aware of the limits of our resources, and addressing the illusion of unlimited plenty. Our leaders must create policies and laws about how best to use resources in a way that least threatens the environment and our future, and make current scientific information public so that people can become more active partners in decisions that affect the environment and thus each of our lives. We must also build environmental principles into our education system so that children learn habits early in life that include respect for the environment. We must work together at both the governmental and corporate level toward a sustainable future. The development of alternative energy sources that do not threaten our long-term survival is essential toward this effort.
3. AMERICA'S HEALTH
Our country must work toward improved health and access to medical and dental care for all. We must move toward greater respect for the health of the individual and support people in healthy and productive lifestyles which will keep down costs for preventive and maintenance care. The public is currently absorbing the excessively high costs of emergency room visits that provide only a temporary solution to chronic health problems. An antidote to excessive health care costs is health. Our schools should include instruction in proper nutrition, as well as healthy food in the lunchroom, and teach that active lives improve health and increase longevity. Our government agencies must identify and remove poisons from our food, land, water and air, and promote the production of healthy, nutritious foods, while encouraging active lifestyles and preventive care. We must value the health of the population over the wealth of corporations.
4. THE ECONOMY
Our Constitution states that it is the role of our government to "promote the general welfare." Our economy is about much more than money; it is about working together to provide the goods and services that people need. In order for the economy to work, economic policy must benefit all classes of society. This requires valuing each individual and helping those in need to develop skills to realize their potential and take pride in their work. We must insist on a living wage with adequate benefits for all. Our government must also require that those who avoid taxes contribute their fair share. We must encourage manufacturers to create quality products that allow us to remain competitive, while we maintain respect for our natural resources. We should also create a safety net for those who fall into hardship. If the economy is to work for any of us, it must work for all.
5. RELIGION
The best of our democratic and religious principles stress tolerance for all, protecting the rights of those less fortunate, and the humility that comes from the understanding that we are all created equal. Our Declaration of Independence acknowledges the belief of our founders in the “Creator” and “Nature’s God” without preference for any religion. Our Constitution states: “There will be no law respecting establishment of a religion.” Thomas Jefferson proposed a “wall of separation between church and state.” This reflects a conviction that we all have a right to practice a religion or no religion as we so choose. Thus it is the legitimate role of our government to oppose those who use religion to impose their political will on others. Both our religious and democratic traditions mandate that we work together in mutual respect regardless of individual preference.
6. EDUCATION
A free, public education has long been a foundation of democracy. A comprehensive education allows us not only to enter into a vocation, but prepares us to bear the responsibility of citizenship. For many, the educational playing field is not equal; we must offer extensive early education to make the most of the talents and abilities of our youth. This will make our country stronger by paving the way for all to become contributing members of society. Our current educational system wastes the talents of vast numbers of individuals who are poorly prepared for work. We have a responsibility to provide excellent education for everyone if we are to successfully participate in the competitive world economy. Opportunities within our educational system – as well as our society – must be based upon skills and ability and not the circumstances of one’s birth. To be prepared for the future, we must train the next generation to be thinkers and not just to do well on tests; to make judgments and not just repeat what they are told; and to acquire the ability to develop values that lead our country forward toward the greater fulfillment of its promise.
7. INTEGRITY IN PUBLIC LIFE
Our political leaders must display integrity in their roles as public servants. Their actions must be equally protective of all members of our society. They should not show favoritism to those with whom they are politically aligned or those who they know personally. The real needs and safety of the public must always be the top priority whenever public funds are spent. Since the free market often fails to protect the interests of the average person, our public servants must make the general health, product safety, and environmental concerns priorities in regulating how our industries operate. Those who are appointed to serve in public service roles should be chosen solely because of demonstrated competence. Those who are hired to complete public works projects should be hired because of a track record of reliability and cost-efficiency.
8. VIOLENCE
Violence pervades every level of our society. We – and those who would lead us – must seek alternatives to violence as a means to resolving conflicts in our nation and world. Our leaders must emphasize the common needs and aspirations of all Americans, which include security and the confidence to lead our lives without constant fear. We must begin to emphasize – in our schools, workplaces, and social settings – alternatives to violence such as learning to resolve differences in a respectful manner. This includes accepting people with their differences and honoring the potential for the unique contribution of each of us toward making the world a better place. Community recreation programs that engage youth in productive activities are far preferable – and more cost effective − than involving those with no place to go into our criminal justice system.
9. CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
Our goal should be that most of those who violate our laws be returned to the community as productive citizens. We should eliminate excessively punitive laws and policies that are costly to the taxpayer, that waste human lives, and do not increase public safety. A genuine rehabilitation system will be less expensive that the current cost of prisons and will reduce the strain on society created by our present system, which hardens inmates in the ways of crime. We must also develop alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders that will be both more humane and effective. To maximize the possibility that those caught in the criminal justice system will eventually lead productive lives, we must create an intensive program of training in life and job skills that continues to provide support after release
10. WAR AND PEACE
Our government must set an example for peaceful means of resolving conflicts whenever possible. Since war is costly to all involved, and rarely leads to better lives for those affected, all peaceful and diplomatic means of resolving problems must be exhausted. We must not tolerate the harm that war causes to the civilians it is intended to protect. The reason for going to war should only be a clear threat to our country. Starting a war for insufficient reasons - and then justifying its endless continuation for the purpose of “supporting our troops”- makes a mockery out of the lives and resources that our country is sacrificing. Only a willingness to engage in dialogue with those with whom we disagree can start us on the road to resolution. We need leaders who inspire the confidence of the American people, and demonstrate courage in restoring our role as peacemakers in the world. We should support those who serve our country to work toward a peaceful resolution of our conflicts. We should also work with people in countries with which we have potential conflicts to enhance their lives by building their infrastructures and economies − which is much cheaper and more productive than wars in which everyone loses.