Four Essential Human Freedoms

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.