“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”
— The Declaration of Independence.
“All political systems, institutions of the state, and cultural values (as well as pathways toward, and indicators of, economic growth) are justifiable only insofar as they encourage basic freedoms, including human rights, and individual and collective well-being. In that respect, democracy doesn’t solely mean “one person, one vote.” It also means, among other things, the protection of minority rights; an effective and truly representative parliament; an independent judiciary; an informed and engaged citizenry; an independent fourth estate; the rights to assemble, practice one’s religion freely, and advocate for one’s view peacefully without fear of reprisal or arbitrary arrest; and an empowered and active civil society that can operate without intimidation. By this definition, many African countries — and indeed, many societies in both the developing and developed worlds — fall short of genuine democracy. Likewise, “development” doesn’t only entail the acquisition of material things, although everyone should have enough to live with dignity and without fear of starvation or becoming homeless. Instead, it means achieving a quality of life that is sustainable, and allowing the expression of the full range of creativity and humanity.”
— Wangari Maathai (Nobel Peace Prize Laureate)
The Challenge for Africa (Random House/Anchor Books, 2009), p. 56
Mission Statement: The Campaign for the Public Interest is a collaborative, nonpartisan grassroots citizens’ campaign whose objective is to restore integrity to our democracy by holding elected officials accountable to the Public Interest. The two eloquent passages quoted above, one old and venerable, the other more recent, comprise a sound and rigorous rubric for defining the Public Interest and assessing the degree to which any government approaches, or retreats from, these ideal standards of democracy. Here is a summary of those standards. The public have an interest in the following assurances from those elected to govern them:
· Provision of basic needs: food, water, and shelter for all.
· A guarantee of the Four Freedoms for everyone: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.
· Basic, affordable health care.
· The right to vote without hindrance or harassment in free and fair elections.
· A safe and healthy environment with due consideration for the rights of future generations to inherit a healthy and life-sustaining biological support system (i.e. clean air, water, and topsoil, biodiversity, and a stabilized global climate).
· The rule of law, to which all, regardless of position, are fully accountable, including due process, presumption of innocence, protection of rights, and freedom from cruel and unusual punishment.
· Adherence to established principles of international law to avert catastrophic war and prevent military aggression, human rights violations, and nuclear war.
Efforts will be made by participating public interest nonprofit organizations to draw up a consensual Public Interest Manifesto, and to circulate this among candidates for public office to solicit their pledge of support, in words and action alike, both before and after they are elected. Candidates who sign this Public Interest Pledge will be endorsed by all participating nonprofit organizations, and these endorsements will be made widely available to the public.
At the same time, a comprehensive public outreach campaign will be launched, through every available medium, to garner public awareness of, and support for, the Campaign for the Public Interest.
I would appreciate any ideas people might have about how to initiate such a campaign.
Thomas I. Ellis, Ph.D.
503–385–5594 (Cell)
tiellis @gmail.com