Patch Blog: 11 Reasons for Calling Yourself American

We envision a truly free, democratic, and just society, built on the following principles:

Liberty: whereby we secure the full spectrum of human rights – political, civil, economic, social, and cultural – against violation or infringement, particularly by unchecked corporate power and unjust governments;

People Power: whereby government, in every form and at every level, exists by the will of those governed, and neither wealth nor history alone will justify power;

Solidarity: whereby all people come together to make decisions through consensus; a process by which everyone’s voice is heard, and no one is marginalized;

Accountability: whereby all who reap society’s benefits accept a fair share of society’s responsibilities;

Fairness: whereby social, political, and economic systems work to benefit all, not just a privileged few; these systems should be restructured or replaced when they fail to do so;

Peace: whereby we learn to live in harmony and embrace principles of compassion, appreciation, and respect for diversity and the differing views of others;

Equality: whereby we reject all forms of institutionalized discrimination and oppression, on any basis, including race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or religion;

Non-violence: whereby non-violence is embraced as a way of life, and we resolve to always carry a good message as we work out our differences;

People Before Profit: whereby we value human dignity and needs over monetary gain, because when people lack security or a standard of living adequate for their well-being, effective democracy is impossible;

Meeting Human Needs: whereby human needs are elevated to a place of primary importance: among these are the right to meaningful and fairly rewarded work, decent housing, comprehensive healthcare, and education;

Environmental Stewardship: whereby we work together to protect the global environment and preserve all species to ensure that life is sustainable, and that future generations will have safe and clean air, water, and food supplies.

Reading this, I find it difficult to believe anyone—and I mean anyone—can have an issue with any of the statements. I’m not religious, but I do respect the teachings of Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed and Moses with his 10 Commandments. It seems to me that the above statements support those same beliefs of compassion—and that all of us are equal under the eyes of “God” (whatever “God” you believe or don’t believe in).

I find it difficult to believe any American who believes in the Declaration of Independence would have any complaints with the above statements.

Is there anything in the following to dispute?:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

No American could possibly have an issue with the above because it is the kind of statement that reflects what we as Americans have fought for and believed in since the founding of our country. We people believe in these proclamations because they represent the ideals of a great country made to support a great people. Americans. We are all Americans.

And where did the above statements come from? The New York City General Assembly for Occupy Wall Street. 

If you’d like to read documents from Occupy Wall Street click here.

If you’d like to read about Occupy Los Angeles click here.

Show your patriotism and contribute money to the next edition of the Occupy LA Newspaper—click here.