Call to Action: Compare to state of the Union

[justinsb]

On November 17, 2004 Earthlings United was founded in the hope that people from around the world could come together, learn to understand one another’s point of view and work together to solve common problems. It is time for a paradigm shift in the way we think about the world and how we solve our problems. We are used to thinking about ourselves as citizens of our communities, our cities, our states or provinces and our countries but if mankind is going to survive we must start thinking of ourselves as citizens of the planet and act accordingly. Regardless of what others might try to tell you, nearly all people in nearly all places share a set of common values and that those values represent the real mainstream, the real ‘silent majority.’ There are some very powerful forces in the world that, because of greed for wealth and power, are working against these values. Fortunately for us these forces are divided among themselves, competing against one another for that wealth and power and because they are divided they are vulnerable.

The New Paradigm

We are used to a certain mode of thinking about our role in the world. We think of ourselves in terms of our role in our neighborhood, our city, our province or state, and our country. We think of the battle in terms of ideologies, political parties, religions and cultures and regardless of who wins the elections or legislative battles we all seem to be losing, little by little, year after year. That is because the paradigm for the powerful and greedy has already shifted and we, as citizens, have not moved to the necessary next level. We have to add the global level to our thinking, redefine our traditional way of defining `our side' and `their side' and act like the unified world we seek to become.

Universal Values

Virtually all the people of this planet share some common goals and values stated simply they are

Self-determination: Valuing the right to choose one's path in life, including the collective right to choose a path for their community or nation without fear of outside pressure or coercion.

Equity: Valuing fair treatment for all in the workforce, marketplace and civil society including the right to a living wage, housing, health care, education, voting, legal representation and religious freedom.

Sustainability: Valuing the unique resources that the Earth provides,
and striving for an economic system where all human activities
recycle and renew resources, not deplete them;

Peace: Valuing a life without fear of violence from other nations,
other members of their community, or any person in a position of
power.

and

Charity: Valuing service for those who cannot help themselves
in the short or long term.

These goals are so universal, so common to all people that even the most brutal dictators could not publicly say they oppose them. They are, in fact, the tools of the powerful and greedy. They manipulate us by convincing us that there is a threat to these values and goals. They claim, at times, that we must give up some of these in order to retain the others, but they never actually say they are against them. The reality is that if we all want these things then none of them are truly threatened except by those who manipulate our desire for them in their lust for wealth and power.

The Struggle

We must define ourselves, in terms of these goals and values, we must not just want these things for ourselves, but for every person on the planet. We cannot secure anything for ourselves that we will not defend for others and regardless of what we are told there is no longer any reason why these goals cannot be accomplished. The resources exist to make these goals a reality for all of humanity. This would mean a change in the lifestyle of residents of industrialized communities, but it would be a change to a healthier, balanced lifestyle. The same lifestyle that consumes resources that needier communities require creates greater stress, a reduced sense of community, and an artificial competition for more and more material things. Changing to a more balanced lifestyle would bring with it the path to an end to war, poverty, disease, pollution and other evils that have plagued mankind throughout our history.

On the other side of the coin we must redefine who and what we are against. Our ‘enemies’ are not our neighbors and co-workers, they are not other cultures; they are not people on the other side of the world who are perceived as different from us. While we may be different from one another in some ways, they all want the same things and believe in the same values listed above. Our foes are people who deny these goals to us or to anyone else. Our foes are those who try to convince us that people from cultures designated as other because they have particular traditions and religions that are unique to themselves are our enemies. A persons chosen political party, ideology, and religion are ultimately a matter of personal choice and not a dividing line, these things are not an ultimate proof of the value of the person, nor are such labels proof that a person is either good or bad. It is a person’s words and actions that define them and if they are really on the side of every man, woman, and child, they will work to bring an end to the labels and stereotypes that our foes use to divide us. A person who is really on the side of the people will work to bring people together to achieve common goals instead of turning them against one another. They will address problems and propose solutions instead of just assigning blame.

Globalization and International Citizens

One of the reasons that ordinary people seem to be routinely losing is that people have become accustomed to a mode of thinking that says our borders restrict us and prevent us from achieving change beyond them. This is a mode of thinking that belongs to another time. What happens in the rest of the world has an affect, for good or ill, on all of us. Each having a stake in what happens, regardless of where it happens and each having a responsibility for the affect we have on others regardless of where they are.

Those who have allowed their lust for wealth and power to guide them, imperialist governments and corporations and ruthless tyrants operate internationally and while they will compete against one another for greater power and wealth they always stand united against populist opposition. If we are to be successful in our struggle for peace, justice, a healthy, sustainable environment, acceptable living conditions, human rights and self-determination for all of humanity, the citizens of the planet remain must unite in opposition to the forces of greed. We cannot afford to remain fragmented, desperately trying to hold on to what we have, and forget those who are losing what they have. When we defend these things for others, even if they are far away, we defend them for our children and ourselves.

When ordinary people have worked together we have achieved victories, or at least had an impact on events. Modern technology including mass media and the internet give us an opportunity to communicate with people the world over, to share ideas and effect change. The international movement against apartheid in South Africa helped bring an end to it. The international focus on Tiananmen Square in 1989 put China on notice that the world was watching, and without it the crackdown might have been much worse.In February 2003 millions of people in 600 cities around the globe took to the streets simultaneously to oppose a US attack on Iraq. Even more recently, in response to the South Asian Tsunami and unprecedented international response was launched, this must be taken as a victory for ordinary human beings because it was in response to the universal values listed that this response came – a demand so loud and clear that none of the worlds great powers was able to ignore it.

None of these things has achieved the desired effect completely, but all show the power of a united global citizenry working together. We call on those of you with the time and the inclination to gather with us and begin to prepare a global, united front to achieve peace, justice and a clean, healthy environment in which to live for all people in all places on this planet. It is time to unite around our real values, to define ourselves by what we are for and not what we are against, and to leave to our children a better world than the one we inherited from our ancestors.

The Plan

We welcome individuals, groups and organizations that share our commitment to the values outlined above provided they do not oppose any of Earthlings United’s values. Earthlings United welcomes all who seek to unite people, but not those who seek to divide, to demonize or to turn people against one another.

Earthlings United will foster dialogue, and the creation of organizations that endorse our goals and objectives, engaging in dialogue with all who are interested in dialogue, but will not waste energy on those who only wish to speak but are not willing to listen.

Earthlings United will focus on policies and not individuals, as such we will work with those who support our policies but will not endorse specific candidates or political parties. Instead we will expect all candidates and all political parties to stand with us to make a better life on our mother Earth for all of her children.

What You Can Do

There are many things that an individual, can do. You can consider joining us at Earthlings United but you don’t have to be one of us, to be a part of the struggle. Consider joining groups and organizations in your area that are working on the issues we’ve outlined. If you are having trouble finding these organizations check the ‘get connected’ area of the Earthlings United web site, which contains links to various groups and organizations around the world. If you feel that you are too busy to participate in such groups, consider making a donation, every little bit helps.

Perhaps the most important thing you can do is to talk to others and listen to them. The wars, conflicts and heated exchanges of the last century (and more) have left humanity with prejudices and resentments. We all need to work to see one another as brothers and sisters. Humanity has progressed primarily through cooperation, not dominance. Violence, in all it’s forms, leaves a legacy of misunderstanding and bias. Correct yourself when you start to see other humans as being very different from yourself approach others peacefully and with a desire to speak calmly and listen carefully to what they have to say. You do not have to agree with everyone on everything, but most of the time you will find that there is more that unites you to others than divides you from them. Focus on those things on which you can agree and work together on those issues.

Above all stay informed on what is happening in your neighborhood, your city, your country and around the world. Help when and where you can and always support those who work peacefully for the greater good.


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