Sign the Platform for the Common Good

I have signed on to the Platform for the Common Good and would like to ask you to join the movement by also signing on. This document represents the work of 2,500 Catholics nationwide. It is essential that we build as much support as possible so that we can pass on our platform to both political parties prior to their conventions in August and September. Please visit http://www.votethecommongood.com to sign, and pass the word on to others.

The goal is 10,000 signatures by August 15th. The platform and the petition will be sent to both campaigns prior to their conventions.

Summary of the platform is below the fold

We the People of the United States are called to:

ESTABLISH JUSTICE
To establish Justice we are challenged to protect life and to address disparities between “haves” and “have-nots” in this country and around the world. We are called to support policies that promote economic equity, ensure human rights, and eliminate all forms of exploitation and discrimination. We must address the root causes of migration and reform our flawed immigration system. And we need to change laws and mentalities that support institutional racism, sexism and classism, and discrimination based on disability, age or other factors.

ENSURE DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY
To ensure domestic Tranquility we need infrastructures and programs to build up local communities and businesses and to provide access to education, jobs, needed services and green space. Local businesses are important in developing strong communities that support families. Government, business and community partnerships must provide needed opportunities for children and families to flourish in an environment free from violence and criminal activity. We need to reform our criminal justice systems and focus more attention on rehabilitation programs and transitional support services for re-entry into communities.

PROVIDE FOR THE COMMON DEFENSE
To provide for the common defense we need to develop an ethical U.S. foreign policy that emphasizes conflict resolution through diplomacy instead of military force—and that promotes stability abroad through fair trade laws, debt cancellation and increased responsible international development aid. Our nation must engage with other nations to develop creative solutions to common problems such as migration, human trafficking, drug trafficking, crime, weapons proliferation, global poverty, and climate change. Our country needs to do more to foster constructive relations with and improved understanding of other cultures. Supporting the United Nations is critical as is participating in and abiding by international treaties.

PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE
To promote the general Welfare we must promote and protect life and all of the systems and supports that are required for life and human dignity. This includes embracing the goals of both the U.S. and the global campaigns to eliminate poverty and to increase access to quality education, living wage jobs, safe housing, nutritious food, and comprehensive, quality healthcare. We must create the essential conditions for a consistent culture of life that respects and promotes life at all stages.

SECURE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY TO OURSELVES AND OUR POSTERITY
To secure the Blessings of Liberty for ourselves and our posterity we must organize our economic development and production to provide for long term sustainability. Ecological responsibility requires that we manage and distribute material resources across all humanity and into future generations. We envision a social and economic order that is sustainable and ecologically responsible; places human dignity above profits; harnesses renewable and clean sources of energy; balances corporate interests with the global common good; addresses the need to strengthen our infrastructure; eliminates debt that will harm future generations; recognizes and seeks to address discriminatory practices; promotes fair trade policies; and neither exploits persons and communities, nor abuses our stewardship of the earth.

Call to Action
We the People must continue to work together—as government, business, communities and individuals—to create a nation and world rooted in justice. We must speak, act, insist, demand and ensure that the common good is at the heart of all decisions and actions. These times call for renewed engagement across our differences. Political engagement is not just our right, but our responsibility.