Some Guiding Principles: Self-Respect and Responsibility

Respect and responsibility for others begins with respect and responsibility for oneself.

Self-respect begins with realistic acceptance of who we are. Self-aggrandizement on one hand, or self-depreciation on the other, are bi-polar and insidious. They weaken us when we make ourselves more important than our purpose.

When we have healthy, realistic, self-respect, we have healthy, realistic respect for others—and that is vital to good neighboring. Here’s a story told by a modern-day spiritual teacher:

Some Guiding Principles: Overcoming Division

Let’s seek new economic and social solutions that transcend the partisan politics of staking out enemies.

Despite a search for unity, there’s plenty of Division, globally and locally. If unharnessed, it can do great damage. We should not, however, avoid conflict, but merely acknowledge they are rooted in fear.

Fear can be overcome with love. We won’t love everyone, but we should respect them. A secure future depends on neighbors working together, with respect.

Some Guiding Principles: Life

“The infinite dignity and worth of every human being.”

The “abortion question” is one of the most divisive issues around, and that division is mostly unnecessary. The moral arguments of both sides need to be recognized, not simplified into “pro-choice” or “anti-abortion.” Here’s my stand: I support the infinite dignity and worth of every human being. In fact, I helped draft a public statement published in the Salina Journal using exactly those words, after one teen emptied his handgun into another in a public park in broad daylight just a few months ago. To help guard against such acts, we all carry a measure of responsibility to protect others.

Some Guiding Principles: Faith

We are, first and foremost, neighbors. It is finally there that we bet our life.

Some Guiding Principles: Money

What is valuable? What is merely expensive?

Most people need security, and money represents a level of security. When we are caught up in that quest, we can lose sight of the value we place on ourselves and others, apart from the cash in our pockets. When that happens, it can have profound effects on our community. This campaign is about re-imagining ourselves as neighbors, no matter where we are and who we are---and acting in everyone’s best interests.

Some Guiding Principles: True Patriotism

Our strength is not in military or economic power, but in support of others.

True patriots believe in and work for the common good, not just for their selfish interests, friends, or class. They know that our power comes not from economic output or military might, but from our values and never-ending effort to live up to our founding ideals, namely all persons’ equality and inalienable rights. This means equality found in the “free market,” not just in theoretical abstractions for Sunday sermons, political speeches or high school forensic contests.