Four Essential Human Freedoms

[H2O Man]

In his 1941 State of the Union address, President Franklin D. Roosevelt identified what he called the "four essential human freedoms." He knew that these were necessary for the citizens of this country to enjoy in the rights that define a Constitutional democracy The four essential freedoms are:

--Freedom of speech and expression;
--Freedom of religion;
--Freedom from want; and
--Freedom from fear.

FDR knew that these rights were worth fighting to protect, and that any force that threatened these rights was a threat to our nation’s security and well-being.. These were things worth fighting for. And just as they were in 1941, they are in 2009.

We know that the Bush-Cheney administration was prepared to "suspend" Amendment 1 of the Bill of Rights, which provides for freedom of speech and expression.

We know that the Bush-Cheney administration pursued a foreign policy that was based, in very large part, upon the religious beliefs of a segment of their pals. Bush was so vain as to say that he believed that God had placed him in the presidency for a divine purpose. Thousands of human beings have died or suffered serious injuries as a result.

The economic crisis that our nation faces today makes it so millions of citizens live in want, and millions more live in fear.

If a foreign entity attempted to inflict the amount of damage that George W. Bush and Dick Cheney did in the past eight years on our country, we would recognize the need to go to war to defend our nation. But the greatest threats to our country are never from the outside. The greatest danger comes from within.

In discussing this very topic, President Lincoln states, "At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide."

In recent weeks, I have been contacted by representatives of groups and individuals asking for contributions for democrats in Washington, who are preparing to face re-election challenges in 2010. I am certainly in favor of supporting the efforts to elect and re-elect democrats to office. But I am no longer willing to donate – either time or money – to help those who are unwilling to hold Bush and Cheney responsible for the crimes they committed in office. I appreciate that others may not feel the same way; this is fine, they can contribute to whomever they please. I understand that there are a variety of other urgent issues that have to be addressed. But having those who posed a threat to our nation held responsible for their actions seems to me to be an important part of fighting to protect the four essential human freedoms.

[depakid]

1. These are painted as murals on a wall in Silverton, Oregon

Originals by Norman Rockwell:

Freedom of Speech



------------

Freedom of Worship



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Freedom from Want



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Freedom from Fear

[H2O Man]

7. Very nice.

Thank you for posting that!

[depakid]

19. These are the things- and the people who Bush and the Republicans sold out

as your insightful post notes.

Note also that -as with most (http://www.everydaycitizen.com/2008/02/norman_rockwell_and_the_civil.html">though not all) Rockwell images, these depict traditional, white Americana.

Seems to me that they might also illustrate to some an even deeper sense of betrayal. http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081107020642AAImCrc">Dante's 9th Circle type stuff.

Which in fact- is what Americans in all regions, of all races, creeds and relgions and :gasp: socioeconomic status have gotten.

[david13]

2. I see a big one missing here. How about freedom

from religion, religious freedom to have no 'religion' if you choose, freedom to not believe, like Barack Obama says.
How about freedom from having a religion established and become the law of the land.
dc

[rrneck]

3. That's in the first admendment. nt

[H2O Man]

6. I think that

is covered rather clearly.

[Naturyl]

4. Freedom from want needs more attention.

And people need to realize that "freedom from want" is unconditional - half-measures and qualifications don't work. Either people are unconditionally *entitled* to the basic necessities of life or they aren't. Period.

[H2O Man]

8. Absolutely.

I agree, 100%.

[leftstreet]

5. FDR proposed a 2nd Bill of Rights - Economic Rights

Second Bill of Rights

The Second Bill of Rights was a proposal made by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt during his State of the Union Address on January 11, 1944 to suggest that the nation had come to recognize, and should now implement, a second bill of rights. Roosevelt did not argue for any change to the United States Constitution; he argued that the second bill of rights was to be implemented politically, not by federal judges. Roosevelt's stated justification was that the "political rights" guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights had "proved inadequate to assure us equality in the pursuit of happiness." Roosevelt's remedy was to create an "economic bill of rights" which would guarantee:


A job with a living wage
Freedom from unfair competition and monopolies
Homeownership
Medical care
Education
Recreation

Roosevelt stated that having these rights would guarantee American security, and that America's place in the world depended upon how far these and similar rights had been carried into practice.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Bill_of_Rights

:thumbsup:

[H2O Man]

10. Right.

It was was coincidence that there was a coordinated attack on FDR's programs in January and February. The opposition knows what it would mean if the citizens of this country were to demand what FDR was proposing to do.

[malaise]

9. Nice post H2O Man

K & R

[H2O Man]

11. Thank you. n/t

[bleever]

12. "Freedom from want" is despised by the right wing.

They cry "socialism", but in fact what they want is for social Darwinism to sweep away all the "losers", i.e., people they fear for being different.

[Naturyl]

15. Exactly. (n/t)

[stevedeshazer]

13. The spectacle of Cheney's reappearance should set off alarms worldwide.

I agree.

I just can't support Democrats who would ignore the biggest problem in the world, the criminality of our government.

FDR sounds mighty good these days.

[Imagevision]

17. Cheney's reappearance tells me the GOP are too clueless too directionless, no power, losing

support eve if it's from repugs switching to Independents or Dems, they're in trouble - evangelicals are fading...

[EFerrari]

21. I agree with that. Who in their right mind can give that criminal a venue.

It's a big slap in the face to the American public and an invitation to complicity.

And I will follow H2O Man's lead. I'll be happy to support Democrats with my wallet when they support our rule of law.

[pacalo]

14. Whenever I'm contacted for donations, I tell them basically the same thing.

I've been doing this for the last several years.

:toast:

[Gregorian]

16. Thank you so much.

This is a very powerful post. Simple, yet the foundation for, and the continuation of, the very essence of what this country stands for.

I too believe that we must stand vigilant, and not forget that which has happened to undermine our very democratic principles.

And thank you for quoting two historic and important individuals. I didn't know those quotes. Their sentiment reveals just how wise our forefathers were.

We must not give an inch. And I stand with you in demanding justice.

[Me.]

18. As long As People Remain Hungry & Homeless We Are Sitting On A Tinderbox

The numbers are those who have nothing to lose are growing

As for Cheney and chums, I do believe they are totally mental. Cheney with his revisionist lies, the likes of Gaffney trying to make the case that Saddam had a hand in Oklahoma City. We need a neo-con psych ward.

[me b zola]

20. K&R

[bulldogge]

22. A couple of things

come to mind reading this. To begin with bleever began to already point this out so I won't go into it too much but the modern version of the red scare is the label of socialism, which is a major debate in itself, but the point I want to make is that beyond the political scope of things it really relates to your previous post (concerning violence) and the idea of how we treat one another as human beings. There are some people who want the rewards and privileges of our current system for themselves but if they see their neighbor in need of any of the 4 essential rights they walk on by because that person is obviously less deserving in one way or another. On the other hand you have people who genuinely care about their fellow human beings and realize that from time to time everyone needs some help and beyond that as a human being there are without debate certain freedoms that should be guaranteed.

In a first world country there is not a single excuse for any of the 4 Essentials to be overlooked or withheld.

As for elected officials not following up on the previous administration it seems as though it is a matter of biting the hand that feeds to an extent. There may be different camps in D.C. but I have to believe these officials are thinking once the door is opened to begin prosecution no one is safe. If they go down I go down. It is so much more than just Bush and Cheney. Take the war in Iraq for instance, alot of people in government supported that initially why should they be let off of the hook? Some those involved in that decision are still in our political machine and have been rewarded with high ranking positions. On both sides of the aisle. The economic crisis is another example for the sake money and all of its grandeur people in and out of government have been more than willing to disregard and abuse the Essential Four simply to fatten their wallets. At what cost? Human freedom means little to those building a lush nest of cash and that is the difference between us and them chances are non of us will ever have money on the level that they do and for them if it means putting your wing around a few undesirables to protect your investments so be it.