Monday, January 23, 2017

Resolution to Protect All People’s Inalienable Right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

Use this draft resolution for your city, town, county or other region. While a resolution is not a promise, it is a step forward.  You can amend, change or otherwise customize this to your area. This resolution is based on a resolution passed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. You can create a petition and gather support for this resolution, or send a copy (make sure you place your area’s name and change where it says city/town/region) to your elected official.  

Resolution to Protect All People’s Inalienable Right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

                            Signed this day ___________, 2017

WHEREAS, in our City/Town/County (________), every person has the inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and no person should have to fear for their life because of their national origin, their liberty because of the color of their skin, gender or sexual orientation, and every person should have equal opportunity to pursue happiness and moreover that the purpose of government is to protect those inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that money has no place in political elections, we will pass an ordinance to overturn the Citizen’s United decision in our city/town/county. We will work with the people our city/town/county to bring about increases in voter turnout and bring about a well-functioning process for public funded campaigns; and be it

RESOLVED, our city/town/county will protect, preserve and promote all people’s First Amendment right to freedom of speech and assembly. We will make ensure the permitting process for assembly is easy and accessible. We will work with the Police Department to ensure the safety of all, and use force only where force is needed, just as with sports and entertainment events; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, our city/town/county is a sanctuary city/town/county. We will not turn our back on the men and women from other countries who help make this city/town/county and country great, and who stand at over 42 million people in our nation. We build bridges, not walls; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That we will never back down on women’s rights, whether in healthcare, the workplace, or any other area threatened by a man who treats women as obstacles to be demeaned or objects to be assaulted. And just as important, we will ensure our young girls grow up with role models who show them they can be or do anything; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That Black Lives Matter in our city/town/region. And guided by President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, we will work towards reforming our police department and rebuilding trust between police and communities of color so all citizens feel safe in their neighborhoods; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That we still believe in this nation’s founding principle of religious freedom. We do not ban people for their faith, and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That there will be no conversion therapy, no withdrawal of rights in our city/town/county. And to all the LGBTQ people all over the country who feel scared, bullied, or alone: You matter. You are seen; you are loved; and our city/town/county will never stop; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That we recognize the tragedy that harms all the people of our city/town/region of homelessness and that housing is a basic human need. We will work diligently to end homelessness in our city/town/county by protecting homeless people and providing shelter, with the aim to provide permanent sustainable shelter; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That climate change is a real threat and concern. We will work towards clean renewable power, zero waste, ecosystem services protection and restoration, and everything else we can feasibly do to protect future generations; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That we will work to provide universal health care in our city/town/county, and if the federal administration does not continue providing universal health insurance, the people of our city/town/county will be protected; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That our city/town/county is committed to internationalism and to our friends and allies around the world; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That our city/town/county will work for public transportations systems we can all rely upon, whether federal transit funding is available or not; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That our city/town/county will not be bullied by threats to revoke our federal funding, nor will we sacrifice our values or members of our community for money; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That we condemn all hate crimes and hate speech. We will fight discrimination and recklessness in all its forms. We are one city/town/county. And we will move forward together.

Signed:

(Official title here. I.e. Mayor, Councilmember, Commissioner etc)


(Official title here. I.e. Mayor, Councilmember, Commissioner etc)


(Official title here. I.e. Mayor, Councilmember, Commissioner etc)


(Official title here. I.e. Mayor, Councilmember, Commissioner etc)




Friday, January 20, 2017

Hope for our inalienable rights to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness


There's Hope

Yesterday, the eve of Inauguration 2017 in USA, was hard. I felt exhausted all day and with evening came a simmering anger. I was not pleasant to be around. I felt like I was walking into a bad arranged marriage.  Trying to console myself that it would only be four years did not work. It's not hard to image the damage that can be done in four years.  To people, to culture, to society, to systems.

I put three tasks before myself:
1) Develop a tool for citizen action based on the book "Becoming a Citizen Activist."
2) Write the first petitions the Happiness Alliance would ever write. One callis on all Mayors in the USA to pass resolutions to protect the inalienable right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness for ALL people. The other calling on all national leaders to appoint Happiness Ministers and Cabinets of Happiness.

By 11:30 pm, I was done, and had done all I could that day. Was it enough? Time would tell, Maybe hardly anyone would sign the petitions, and they would go unnoticed, unheaded. But one does what one can, and then turns it over to a higher power.  I needed to rest, to take the time to go inward. But there did not feel like there was enough time. That, my dharma teacher says, is exactly when you must take the time.  So today, I plan to take at least one hour today and go inward. Sit in silence, see what will emerge. Tears maybe, the tumult of fear, anger, denial, bargaining...ideas, inspiration, maybe even a sense of peace.  But most important, is that I will be taking care of myself.

The link between taking care of yourself and doing the work that is needed and will be necessary if we are going to realize a sustainable tomorrow and today where there is hope for a government, economy and society that puts the well-being and happiness of people before the goals of unfettered economic growth and the rich getting richer.

My hope is that the work we are all doing for the good of our brothers and sisters on two legs, on four legs, in the air and on the ground will be a success.  I send that wish of love out today.