We Believe Colorado

Our Common Good Issues

Our Common Good Issues in Election 2008 Education Quality, equitable public education is essential to a just and good society, a key component of effective democracy, and necessary for the full realization of individual aspirations and the common good. Environment Care for creation requires a commitment to healthy ecosystems, and demands political strategies for sustainable development, renewable energy, and environmental justice. Health Care Access to quality and affordable health care is a fundamental human right for all, and must be a top priority for study and debate on health care policy in this election year, leading to timely implementation of a just health care system for all in Colorado and in our nation. Recognizing the strong moral differences in the area of reproductive health, we encourage education, civil dialogue, and debate on which health care strategies and social conditions will best contribute to a common goal of reducing abortions and preventing unwanted pregnancies. Human Rights/Civil Rights Dignity, equality, and respect call for the recognition of all the ways in which the rights of people have been both undermined and championed. Immigration Just, fair and comprehensive immigration policy must offer worker protections, paths to legal status and family reunification, and must reject the criminalization of immigrants and condemn ICE (Immigration Control and Enforcement) raids that tear families apart and create a climate of fear. Incarceration and neglect The high incarceration rate in our state and nation reflects racism, elevates punishment above the need to address the underlying causes of crime, and drains public resources that could be used for prevention. International Relations and Security Foreign policy must reflect a commitment to a universal common good, with reciprocal rights and duties. Excessive military spending and war profiteering are immoral. Policy must respect international law and priority must be given to social development, equality, and conflict resolution over fear, dominance, and coveting world resources. Racism and discrimination Historic patterns of injustice should be reversed through education, practice, and policy changes. Today’s manifestations of racism, discrimination, and intolerance must be confronted, and measures such as affirmative action must be protected. All should be given the chance to flourish materially, spiritually and socially, and policy and public discourse should aim for the full inclusion of everyone, regardless of their immigration status, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, race or ethnicity. Poverty All people need adequate access to income and other resources that enable them to meet their basic needs of nutrition, clothing, housing, health care, personal development and full participation in society. Public policies should be evaluated by their economic impact on the common good, and particularly on those most vulnerable and marginalized. Ending poverty must be a priority in all policymaking. Public Budgets Federal, state and local budgets are moral documents which must embody the common good and reflect our shared responsibility to each other. Tax policies should be structured progressively, so that people are taxed in relation to their ability to pay. Too often candidates simply “run against” government in election years instead of recognizing that just tax and budget policies are investments in our future, ensuring that the benefits of society are broadly shared. Torture and Killing Federal killing, whether it is kids dying on our streets or violent interventions abroad, and the justification of torture in national discourse and policy, diminish our humanity and must end.