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Mission and Principles of
Progressive Action - Duluth, Minnesota
HEAR YE! HEAR YE!
Progressive Action is in the process of modifying this Mission and Principles Statement to reflect the organization’s expanding outreach to NE Minnesota and NW Wisconsin.
What is Progressive Action?
Progressive Action is a group of individuals and organizations who are committed to promoting progressive goals by working together, helping to educate the community on issues, and using effective communication tools.
The Values That Guide Progressive Action
We believe in working hard to promote the kind of change that will bring freedom and security to our city’s residents—and, over the long term, to our nation. Progressive Action understands that we must tackle the root causes of the challenges we face; at the center of this belief are the following values that are the backbone of the Progressive Action organization:
- Justice: All people are endowed with the fundamental right to live in a world of social, economic, political, and environmental justice.
- Empowerment: In just and democratic societies, all people must have access to and influence over making policy decisions.
- Community: Diversity is key to strong communities, and celebrating diversity is essential to building a shared community by working and acting together, on each other’s behalf.
- Self-Determination: As we act toward common goals, we must in a just and democratic society support the right of all people to determine their own futures.
- Stewardship: Just and democratic societies understand that the actions we take today impact future generations. We will strive to act responsibly as we enjoy, protect and sustain a world rich in cultures and resources.
- Integrity: Our actions reflect and shape the values we support. To work effectively for change, we must be willing to evaluate ourselves and our actions to ensure that our actions remain consistent with our progressive values.
- Action: We will act locally so that ultimately we will be effective globally
The Goals of Progressive Action
Progressive Action’s founding members have set these as the organization’s primary goals:
- Act as a network for Duluth area progressives to come together to develop and implement local progressive policies
- Create communication tools for Duluth area progressives
- Engage the larger Duluth public in progressive ideas and issues
- Encourage and inspire more progressives to get involved in politics and local government
- Develop and support emerging progressive leaders
- Develop and implement strategies to elect progressive leaders to local office
- Create a criteria of accountability for public officials and hold public officials accountable to that criteria
- Help link our local actions with state, national and global progressive efforts
The Positions Progressive Action Has Taken
Progressive Action members come from a variety of backgrounds but hold these positions in common:
Labor - The right to choose a union and bargain collectively is a fundamental human right. This right must be actively promoted at all levels of government. Businesses that receive public funds must commit to providing living-wage jobs with benefits.
Health Care - Health care is a fundamental human right. High-quality health care must be guaranteed to all citizens.
Education - All children deserve a first-rate public education. Public funds should not subsidize private or for-profit schools. Funding between affluent and less affluent school districts must be equalized.
Human rights - All people are entitled to equal treatment regardless of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. Strong legal protections against discrimination must be maintained.
Taxation - Fairness must be returned to our tax system through progressive taxation based upon ability to pay.
Individual rights - The individual freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, including freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom from unreasonable search and seizure, must be defended.
Trade and Globalization - The rules that govern global trade must be rewritten to provide strong guarantees for labor rights, human rights, and environmental protection.
Planning and Economic Development - Vibrant neighborhoods and a healthy environment are the backbone of a strong community. Local planning and development policies must invest in existing neighborhoods, support small neighborhood businesses, promote quality affordable housing, and be environmentally responsible.
War and Peace - Military force should be a tool of last resort and be reserved for cases where the lives and freedoms of Americans are directly at risk. Military spending should be reduced with the funds transferred to meet human needs.
Clean Government - Government should be conducted in a manner that maximizes openness, accountability, and community participation. Campaigns for state and federal office should be publicly funded to reduce the influence of wealthy interests. Democracy is not limited to the act of voting; democracy is also found in the accurate counting of every vote.
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