[Peckers_Pics] Male/Gay Health-Discussion-PICS Proposed Petition for Redress and Pledge of Action

Proposed Petition for Redress and Pledge of Action

Sign Petition @

https://www.change.org/petitions/the-proposed-petition-for-redress-and-pledge-of-action

Proposed Petition for Redress and Pledge of Action

By Bear

[Side Note: Originally placed on Facebook, November 19, 2011]

[Side Note: Catalyst for Petition: Occupy Wall Street, Action
Required by 99%]

In 1776, representatives of the residents in thirteen North
American colonies adopted a Declaration of Independence that
set forth the philosophical principles behind their recent
and future actions, their grievances against King George III
of Great Britain, and the redress they sought. The Declaration
famously illuminated the unalienable rights of life, liberty,
and the pursuit of happiness held by all women and men. The
writer of the Declaration substituted "pursuit of happiness"
for "property" found in earlier formulations of enumerated
natural rights, considering property to be a creation of humans
that is valued, protected, and used but not intrinsic to human
endeavor.

After struggle, victory, and peace, representatives of the
citizens of the thirteen sovereign, independent states established
from initial trial and error, through debate and consensus a
new form of government of, by, and for the people. That
government has withstood invasion, wars of expansion, defense,
principle, ideology and questionable motive, economic
transformations, immigration of individuals from every part
of the world, cultural awakenings, social unrest and political
corruption, assassinations, and a great conflagration that
soaked this country's fields with blood from self-inflicted
wounds and tore the fabric of its shared civic culture. That
government has evolved as its creators intended to meet new
challenges and provided infrastructure, regulations, and
services as the need arose. That government remains a beacon
of hope for all human beings seeking democratic, representative,
responsible, humane, and limited rule over their affairs.

Today, many citizens of the United States of America fear their
government has become a creature of the wealthy, the corporations
from which the wealthy derive their resources, and the politicians
driven to act in the interests of those corporations due to
their need for funds to fuel their endless campaigns to stay in
office. Some of those citizens have made their concerns known
by occupying parks, streets, and public areas in the cities and
other locations around this country. These peaceful groups have
called upon the one percent that wields power through wealth and
elected office to return the government, its policies, laws,
regulations, and justice to the ninety-nine percent that have
the capacity to fuel the economy, generate jobs, mobilize society,
and move forward but are starved of the resources to do so. They
seek change.

As the colonial representatives knew two hundred thirty-five
years ago, great change must be founded on rational principles
soundly developed from evidence, facts, and natural law. Such
are the times now that some choose to twist, dissect, or profane
the principles supporting change out of fear, ignorance, or
self-interest. Nonetheless, the foundations for change are
present for all to see. The evidence is clear.

We truly are created equal, endowed with certain rights, among
which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We all
require and are entitled to consistent shelter, social and
familial companionship, wellness and good health, education to
our potential, full and complete nourishment, adequate clothing,
employment of our skills and knowledge, and safety from harm.
We build communities. We support our brothers and sisters
regardless of skin color, religion, ability, belief, condition,
sex, attribute, or characteristic. We treat one another with
respect and dignity. We are a diverse, compassionate nation of
free individuals.

The ninety-nine percent are held back by the actions and whims
of the one percent. Witness the facts: the wealthy have steadily
increased their share of the nation's wealth at the expense of
the poor and middle classes; politicians have pledged to enact
no taxes despite the necessity for revenues to meet the needs
of the people and revitalize our nation's infrastructure;
corporations have been deemed persons with political rights,
allowing these corporations to support candidates and political
causes financially, thereby drowning out the voices of voters;
elected officials have engaged the nation in lengthy, unwarranted
wars that have sapped the economy, killed and harmed tens of
thousands of people, and invoked ill feelings abroad; state
legislators and governors have used the narrow tenets of religion
as the sole basis for laws that restrict the exercise of
fundamental human rights by all; politicians have set out
arbitrary and selfish requirements prior to debate on issues
that require negotiation and consensus; companies, business
groups, and single-issue interests have used their resources
to influence and shape legislation and regulations for their
limited benefit, squeezing out the common good; representatives
have conducted inquiries and provided earmarked funds for their
own self promotion; laws have been passed to address issues
that do not actually exist and other laws have not been taken
up that would address pressing concerns, all for partisan gain;
the judiciary has become suspect of issuing opinions based on
ideology and party affiliation rather than the law and common
sense; financiers and investors have used the markets and banks
with little oversight and adjustable scruples to speculate,
profit, and gain without adding real value to the economy; many
news media businesses have adopted clear ideological perspectives
while continuing to claim the mantle of unbiased journalism; the
United States Senate has adopted rules that require almost all
legislation to find support from many more than half plus one
members of the chamber, making a mockery of the idea of unlimited
debate established by the nation's founders; and candidates for
public office have created the endless election cycle in their
quest to hold onto their offices once acquired.

These are reasons for deep concern regarding the future of this
nation. Their mitigation and elimination require substantial
action. Citizens that have occupied Wall Street, Oakland, the
tundra, Albany, and other places have taken the first step in
calling attention to the plight of the ninety-nine percent and
the power of the one percent. This petition is the next. We seek
redress of our grievances from the government, the wealthy, and
the corporations. We seek the resources to take action to correct
the deficiencies that have arisen in this country. We seek the
means to rebuild our communities and the support to fulfill our
essential needs. We seek dignity and honor from our labors. We
seek peace, security, and fulfillment. In return, we offer action.
We offer involvement in our cities, towns, and villages. We offer
engagement with those that need. We offer ourselves to the
betterment of our country and the future. We offer participation
in civic culture as a defense against the weaknesses of apathy
and self-absorption. We offer to be active, American citizens.

Bear – 8 November 2011

 

Sign Petition @

https://www.change.org/petitions/the-proposed-petition-for-redress-and-pledge-of-action

 

Discuss Petition @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Occupy_Wall_Street/join

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Thank you!
 

"Every gay and lesbian person who has been lucky enough to survive the turmoil of growing up is a survivor. Survivors always have an obligation to those who will face the same challenges."

...Jake (Moderator)

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