Parakalein

Defining "What we stand for and who we stand with" is a commission challenge to AIPAC by John Boehner a Republican from Ohio and Speaker of the House.

He identified what we stand for as "freedom and justice" and who we stand with as "those nations who yearn and struggle for freedom for their people".   The problem is that when we identify freedom with democracy we set up an arbitrary connection with a particular style of governing rather than aligning with a commitment to "human rights and responsibilities" regardless of the form of the government.  If our agenda and alignment is on a political process rather than human rights and responsibilities we become self serving and self-promoting.

What if we choose to stand for "human rights and responsibilities" and stand with all people and nations who likewise stand for "human rights and responsibilities".  Would we be better able and apt to embrace the divergence forms of government as long as they do not neglect or abuse the human rights and responsibilities of their citizenry.

I have often thought that while we have a "Bill of Rights" we need to formulate a "Bill of Responsibilities".  It is the balance and harmony of rights and responsibilities that create a safe and secure world.  Individual rights and social responsibilities are equally important in developing a polity of peacefulness and justice.

We do not stand with any group against any other group.
We stand with all people of earth who believe in and work for the communion of all people in a balance of and harmony with diversity and distinctiveness.