Fifteen Core Issues The Country Must Face
These are the core issues identified by the October2011 Movement steering committee.
Soon each issue will be linked to a page which will explain more about the problem, the solutions and resources.
This is meant to get a conversation started. We hope that you will join discussions on each issue on the Discussion board and give us your feedback.
Committees are forming for each of the 15 issues.
Please contact info@october2011.org if you would like to volunteer on a committee. The committees will meet daily from 3 to 5 p starting on Friday, Oct 7 and they will present at the evening assemblies. The initial task is to describe the problems and solutions. We intend to have a document by the end that clearly defines where we want to go and how to start getting there. The committee work will be ongoing through conference calls and online tools. This will ultimately represent a vision of where we want to go in creating a peaceful, just and sustainable world. The October action is a beginning on the path to this new world.
For more information, you can read about where the majority of people in America stand on the issues.
1. Corporatism– firmly establish that money is not speech, corporations are not people, only people have Constitutional rights, end corporate influence over the political process, protect people and the environment from damage by corporations.
2. Wars and Militarism – end wars and occupations, end private for-profit military contractors, reduce the national security state and end the weapons export industry. War crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes against peace must be addressed and those responsible held accountable under international law.
3. Human Rights – end exploitation of people in the US and abroad, end discrimination in all forms, equal civil rights and due process for all people.
4. Worker Rights and jobs – all working-age people have the right to safe, just, non-discriminatory and dignified working conditions, a sustainable living wage, paid leave and economic protection.
5. Government – all processes of the three branches of government should be accountable to international law, transparent and follow the rule of law, people have the right to participate in decisions which affect them.
6. Elections – all citizens 18 and older have the right to vote without barriers, all candidates have the right to be heard and to run and all votes should be counted.
7. Criminal justice and prisons –end private for-profit prisons, adopt evidence-based drug policy, prisoners have the right to humane and just conditions with a focus on rehabilitation and reintegration into society, abolish the death penalty.
8. Healthcare – create a national, universal and publicly financed comprehensive health system.
9. Education – all people have the right to a high quality, publicly-funded and broad education from pre-school through vocational training or university.
10. Housing – all people have the right to affordable and safe housing.
11. Environment – adopt policies which effectively create a carbon-free and radio-active free energy economy and that respects the rights of nature.
12. Finance and the economy – end policies which foster a wealth divide and move to a localized and democratic financial system, reform taxes so that they are progressive and provide goods, monetary gain and services for the people.
13. Media – airwaves and the internet are public goods, require that media be honest, accurate and accountable to the people.
14. Food and water – create systems that protect the land and water, create local and sustainable food networks and practices.
15. Transportation – provide affordable, clean and convenient public transportation and safe spaces for pedestrian and non-automobile travel.
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