We Must Continue our Fight for All Citizens

By Eleanor A. Mang

• We must define and share our values clearly so others can clearly understand.
• WE must learn from our past communication failures to create future communication successes.
• We must plan, organize and train. Eleanor A. Mang, November 9, 2004

YES, our country still needs all democrats to continue our fight for the rights of all citizens, but how? For the last 4 years we have posted our "Democratic Challenge" on this site believing that it was possible to recapture the presidency for the good of our country and ultimately the world.

We believed, and still do, that our position on topics such as childcare, civil rights, the economy, education, employment, the environment, healthcare, housing, international relations, equal justice, military support, safety, state & local issues, taxes and transportation reflect our deep seated CORE VALUES.

WE BELIEVE THAT CORE VALUES MUST BE PUT INTO ACTION OR THEY ARE ONLY WORDS WALLOWING IN THE WIND. But, we have not been clear on what our CORE VALUES really are.

WE BELIEVE THAT TO BE OF VALUE, ACTIONS BASED ON THOSE VALUES SHOULD BENEFIT THE GREAT MAJORITY OF HUMAN KIND! The Republican Party, guided by Carl Rove's clever plan, jumped the gun on us and defined the term VALUES effectively as "anti-gay," "pro-life,"pro-gun" and "anti-terrorism" among others. Since Republicans took over all 3 branches of government in 2000, their actions have wrought havoc on our nation and around the world. One must, therefore, question either the validity or reality of their stated VALUE system.

Okay, so they have their definition of Christian VALUES. But what have their actions really been? Have they resulted in better lives for anyone? Well, there are some people who are smiling. Who are they? The wealthy, military contractors, and certain faith based entities. Where in the New Testament does it say "Blessed be the wealthy and big business. Blessed be only certain Christian's who think like I do." Or for that matter, "Blessed be they that invade other countries." Wonder what their VALUES really are?

If I remember correctly, it does say "Blessed are the poor in spirit, they that mourn, the meek, they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peace makers, and persecuted for righteousness sake." I was raised to believe that Christ set a wonderful example of how to treat others. He even threw the money changers out of the Temple, and weren't there words that said give to God what is God's, and to Caesar what is Caesar's? So where did God & Caesar become one? Looks like that's what is going on in the United States of America today. What a shame!

WE VALUE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND TOLERANCE! Now, to our United States Constitution and Bill of Rights. Maybe we should all visit http://www.bartleby.com to read them. Never has an amendment been made to tighten the screws on any group of individuals. Rather, amendments have been made to expand protections. But, the wealthy in our nation are growing in their ability to control many of our rights from controlling the media to influencing elections.

WE VALUE OUR PEOPLE, OUR COUNTRY & OUR CONSTITUTION ! A FEW EXAMPLES:

WE VALUE THE 1ST AMENDMENT! Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

WE VALUE THE 4TH AMENDMENT! The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

WE VALUE THE 6TH AMENDMENT! In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

WE VALUE THE 10TH AMENDMENT! The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.