POSTED BY MARTIN KICH

Understanding instead of fear-mongering, compassion instead of suspicion, dignity instead of degradation

News media that protect the public interest instead of chasing ratings and profits, that emphasize truth over sensationalism, and that explore controversies instead of stoking them

Insistence that our political leaders represent the best traits in our national character instead of our worst impulses and that any abuses of office be addressed very pointedly as violations of the public trust

Technology that expands potential and enhances lives instead of wrecking livelihoods and amplifying tribalism

Educational opportunity that promotes upward mobility instead of maintaining the upper crust and that fosters engagement as well as promising employment

Defense of voting rights and fair elections, instead of ideological advantage, and the non-partisan promotion of civic responsibility and political engagement

Fairness as one of the fundamental principles underlying all public policy

Opportunity re-conceptualized as a benefit to the community and nation instead of just to the individual

Religious freedom instead of the prioritizing of one set of spiritual, social, and cultural values over others

Accessible and affordable healthcare that is a fundamental right instead of a privilege of economic class

Military spending that prioritizes personnel over weapons systems and that honors service and sacrifice with extended and excellent care and support in addition to noble declarations and decorations

Energy production that harnesses natural resources instead of exhausting them and that improves the environment in which we live instead of degrading it

Recognition of the importance of public institutions and public servants instead of the promotion of privatization and the sacrificing of the public good to corporate exploitation and self interest

International agreements that manage to advance our national interests and, as importantly, to promote humane values without exploiting weaker nations and without antagonizing allies and adversaries alike

Corporations that are responsible “citizens”; if they are going to be regarded judicially as citizens, then they should be held to the same expectations to which individual citizens are held—that is, some personal or private interest ought to be sacrificed for the public interest; more specifically, all workers should have the right to organize and to bargain collectively

An adamant defense of freedom of speech and an equal responsibility to adamantly reject reprehensible ideas