The Principles of Universal Human Brotherhood.
One of the things that the Republican presidential candidates were doing in the debate yesterday was try to appeal to peoples' sense of optimism. This is one of the things that we were able to win elections based on in the last 70 years; FDR and JFK were both able to win by appealing to that, as did Bill Clinton.
Therefore, in order to win the next election, we have to be able to coopt that and present our own vision for the future. What we need to be able to do is ask where we want to be 100 years from now. We can't make the world as though George Bush had never risen to power. But what we can do is work to ensure that it never happens again. Here is what I where I would like to see us in the next 100 years.
1. Sustainable Living
The world will be a place that is sustainable. No resources are wasted, everything is reused, and no natural resources are exhausted. All communities are increasingly self-sufficient and able to generate their own resources. Instead of a world in which resources are exhausted, development is planned around the concept of permaculture, or the designing of systems based on nature.
2. The End of World Poverty
All people will have sufficient resources for food, clothing, healthcare, education, and transportation. All people will discover their unique set of skills that will allow them to impact the world. All children will be taught to discover their unique sense of purpose in life and to appreciate others'. All persons will have a roof over their beds.
3. Heart Unity
A concept taught by Gandhi. All people will celebrate their differences, not merely their common characteristics. Being different will be something to be prized and valued, not something to be mocked and derided. Diversity will involve the discovery and protection of rare animal and plant species. We see ourselves as citizens of the universe, not merely citizens of the Milky Way Galaxy or the Solar System or the Earth or the US.
4. World Peace
All countries will resolve their internal or external disputes within the UN and under the auspices of international law. All nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons will be abolished. The sale of small arms around the world will be curtailed. International laws will be put in place that all countries will be expected to follow, and international pressure will be brought to bear on countries that are in breach.
5. Universal Access to Healthcare
All people will have universal access to healthcare, including medical, dental, mental, and alternative healthcare as well as prescription drug coverage. Healthcare will be considered a basic human right similar to other basic rights defined in the Constitution. All women will be able to give birth without the risk of dying.
6. Universal Access to Elementary and Higher Education
All children will have access to elementary, secondary, college, and post-secondary education. Education will be compulsory from 5 to 18; however, homeschooling will be encouraged as a viable alternative. Students will be able to attend college without incurring burdensome debts that they will spend extensive time repaying.
7. Peaceful Colonization of Space
Humanity will engage in the peaceful exploration and colonization of space. We choose to research and develop new technologies that will allow us to reach the stars so that the next generation can explore space. We choose to search for life on other planets and to make peaceful contact with them.
8. Fair working conditions for all
Workers will have the right to form unions and bargain for fair working conditions without retaliation, have paid leave to care for family members and relatives, be paid a living wage, and have reasonable vacation time. Workers will have the right to strike for better pay and benefits without being fired for replacement workers.
9. Respect for Human Rights
All countries will have respect for basic human rights, including the freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom of religion. All persons will have the right to a fair trial without coercion or torture. All persons will be able to enjoy these rights without regard to race, religion, creed, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. All persons will have the right to live their own lives without governmental interference or spying.
10. Eradication of major diseases
All major diseases will be eliminated through massive new investment, research, and design in drugs and treatments. All people will have universal access to such treatments. Prevention will be the primary source of treatment for diseases.
11. The elimination of all unnecessary rules, regulations, and excessive fines and prison sentences
All the rights not given to the state will be considered given to the people. No rules will be made unless there is a compelling public interest that such a rule be made. Pot will be legalized; people will be free to live their own lives provided that they do not infringe on the rights of others to live their own lives.
Obamathon
