Progressive Ponderings: Progressive Values Equal Moral Values

02/09/2005

Joe Mayer, February 9, 2005

It’s painful to watch our supposed Democratic Party leaders dodge and
weave, dance and spin, deny and confirm the moral value issue.  This
pitiful performance only adds to the neoconservatives narrow and
fallible valuation of human actions.  Our Democratic leaders don’t
seem to realize that a progressive platform embraces humankind’s
virtuous relationships with each other and with our planet home.

Moral values exploded from Barak Obama as he mesmerized the nation at
the Democratic Convention
accompanied Paul Wellstone as the “conscience of the Senate”
motivated Dr. King on his march to martyrdom and history

Morality stands up to the abuse of power
to the lies that cause war
to torture
to the language of doublespeak
to fear mongering as leadership.

Morality respects humanity in all its colors of skin
in all its nationalities
in all its diverse cultures
in all its methods of worship

Morality rejects the idea that the earth is a cesspool for human waste
that the planet should be
privatized for individual greed
that pollution is a tradable commodity
that flora and fauna are patentable

Morality protests exploitation as employment
obscene differences in remuneration
wealth as a measure of human value
promotion of an economic system to the stature of god
imperialism in all its disguises
false either/or choices as the only solutions
hatred as a solution to peace

Morality spurns the concept of democracy as marketable at home or abroad
the idea that secrecy is national security
the fancy that patriotism is bowing to the leader
the principle that protest is anarchy

Democracy is a moral value in that it recognizes the basic equality of all
when it places real
people above corporations
when it can’t be bought or sold
when it evolves from
within not enforced

Morality believes in the basic goodness of humanity
hopes for an equitable future
loves

jmayer