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Our Constitution – the supreme law of our land – states that its purpose is to “establish justice,” “secure the blessings of liberty,” and “promote the general welfare.” Thus it establishes human dignity as the guiding principle for our nation. As we struggle to resolve the major issues that confront us, it is to this principle that we continually must return.

Respecting human dignity means providing equal opportunity based on one’s abilities. It means protection from those who would use a position of privilege to take advantage of others. It also means protection from the “tyranny of the masses” – where a majority restricts the rights of a minority. At one time our white majority enslaved the black minority, industrialists imposed a 6 day, 16 hour work week on factory workers including children, and women were denied the right to vote. These practices were eliminated as enough people realized that they were in violation of human dignity, but each change was considered radical in its time.

Researchers in biology and the social sciences tell us that those societies most likely to survive long-term are those where individuals cooperate to identify and move toward common goals. Constructive dialogue toward the goal of establishing a just government was the basis of our country’s founding, despite many disagreements. Personal and political interaction based on respect for all human beings allows us to move together toward solutions, rather than focusing on who is right or who is wrong. This principle still provides the most viable framework to resolve our issues.

The principle of human dignity shows us that the welfare of all human beings is entwined. When we treat others with dignity, it creates a better world for all of us. But when the economy falters due to the greed of some, all are affected. When we leave some without healthcare, it threatens the health of us all. When we let educational standards fall, it keeps our nation from fulfilling its potential. Polluting our air and water negatively affects the health of everyone. When we create a world where some people are robbed of their dignity everyone suffers.

With human dignity as our guide we see that our economy only functions well when it benefits everyone, not just the wealthiest. It dictates that all Americans have healthcare coverage. In education it mandates that equal opportunities are made available to everyone. It reminds us that environmental protections are needed to eliminate poisoning our world and its inhabitants.

Protecting human dignity is not a contest between good and bad people but a struggle to express the best impulses in every one of us. We can choose to be guided by the principles upon which our country was founded. Our government can focus on the short-term special interests of some or the long-term interests of our nation and world. Every day we decide whether to act based only on our own narrow viewpoint, or on what works for our country and the human race. And as we do this we find that to “promote the general welfare” is what serves us best as individuals.