Read Online My Country Is Called Earth by Lawrence John Brown - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Lawrence John Brown
Ads: Link
world will live as one.
John Lennon
It is time for man to recognize that devotion to the earth is a superior virtue to national patriotism. If we are going to overcome the challenges of today, we must begin to give our love and allegiance to the planet and all the people on it. We need to make the same pledge that was made at a peace convention in Boston in 1838: “Our country is the world, our countrymen are all mankind.” When we realize that we are all citizens of a country called earth, the reasons for war and defense spending will disappear.
At the same time this manuscript is being completed, horrible atrocities are occurring in Haiti and Rwanda. Wars in Angola and Bosnia are taking a terrible toll in civilian lives. A true world government would have the power and the will to stop these murders and prosecute the murderers. A competent world government would, better still, have been able to prevent the buildup of power and the breakdown of society that preceded these human rights’ disasters. True justice and peace in the world is not possible before there is a world government with real authority to act.
I recognize that an international government could use its power to suppress human rights. The way to prevent this is to model the world government after the U.S. federal system with its checks and balances, to include a bill of rights, and to limit the world government’s functions and abilities to gather power. The world government’s role should be to keep the peace and to ensure that nature’s rights and human rights are respected; the world government should only act when national governments fail to fulfill their responsibilities. The world government should have no standing army, but should borrow its forces from local governments.
Below are some of my thoughts about world government and a mythology for the new age:
1. Rights : First we must recognize that God lives within all It has created; therefore, all things have rights. No one can be allowed to act publicly without regard for how the act will affect others. There are two major classes of rights:
A. The Rights Of Nature : Nature’s rights include the survival of species and the health of forests, waterways, wetlands, wilderness areas, rivers, lakes, and oceans. The protection of nature’s rights should be one of the primary functions of government.
B. The Rights Of Man : Human rights include equal opportunities for a decent life: a good job, a home, an education, and medical care. Human rights also consist of freedom of speech and religion, of assembly, press, the right to participate in government, and freedom from government interference in one’s life. The protection of human rights should be the other primary function of government.
2. Poverty : There is no justification for private wealth in the midst of poverty. To end poverty, men must be allowed to form self-supporting communities. These communities should be financed by a tax on the richest members of society. There is enough money to end poverty in the world if we would prohibit hoarding and waste and prosecute corruption in society and government. Remember, the greatest resource we have is not the capital of wealthy investors, but the ability of ordinary people to work hard and creatively.
3. The Military : Nations should eliminate military forces and rely on local militias for defense. When one nation acts aggressively towards another, the United Nations, using militias from around the world, should stop the violence quickly with a minimum of force.
4. Love And Reason : We have been listening to the voices of fear and hate and greed for too long. It is time to start listening to the voices of love and reason. We can’t have a peaceful, just world unless we forgive those who have wronged us, talk to those we disagree with and attempt to understand their point of view, and make an effort to cooperate with others.
5. Law Of Compounding :
John Lennon
It is time for man to recognize that devotion to the earth is a superior virtue to national patriotism. If we are going to overcome the challenges of today, we must begin to give our love and allegiance to the planet and all the people on it. We need to make the same pledge that was made at a peace convention in Boston in 1838: “Our country is the world, our countrymen are all mankind.” When we realize that we are all citizens of a country called earth, the reasons for war and defense spending will disappear.
At the same time this manuscript is being completed, horrible atrocities are occurring in Haiti and Rwanda. Wars in Angola and Bosnia are taking a terrible toll in civilian lives. A true world government would have the power and the will to stop these murders and prosecute the murderers. A competent world government would, better still, have been able to prevent the buildup of power and the breakdown of society that preceded these human rights’ disasters. True justice and peace in the world is not possible before there is a world government with real authority to act.
I recognize that an international government could use its power to suppress human rights. The way to prevent this is to model the world government after the U.S. federal system with its checks and balances, to include a bill of rights, and to limit the world government’s functions and abilities to gather power. The world government’s role should be to keep the peace and to ensure that nature’s rights and human rights are respected; the world government should only act when national governments fail to fulfill their responsibilities. The world government should have no standing army, but should borrow its forces from local governments.
Below are some of my thoughts about world government and a mythology for the new age:
1. Rights : First we must recognize that God lives within all It has created; therefore, all things have rights. No one can be allowed to act publicly without regard for how the act will affect others. There are two major classes of rights:
A. The Rights Of Nature : Nature’s rights include the survival of species and the health of forests, waterways, wetlands, wilderness areas, rivers, lakes, and oceans. The protection of nature’s rights should be one of the primary functions of government.
B. The Rights Of Man : Human rights include equal opportunities for a decent life: a good job, a home, an education, and medical care. Human rights also consist of freedom of speech and religion, of assembly, press, the right to participate in government, and freedom from government interference in one’s life. The protection of human rights should be the other primary function of government.
2. Poverty : There is no justification for private wealth in the midst of poverty. To end poverty, men must be allowed to form self-supporting communities. These communities should be financed by a tax on the richest members of society. There is enough money to end poverty in the world if we would prohibit hoarding and waste and prosecute corruption in society and government. Remember, the greatest resource we have is not the capital of wealthy investors, but the ability of ordinary people to work hard and creatively.
3. The Military : Nations should eliminate military forces and rely on local militias for defense. When one nation acts aggressively towards another, the United Nations, using militias from around the world, should stop the violence quickly with a minimum of force.
4. Love And Reason : We have been listening to the voices of fear and hate and greed for too long. It is time to start listening to the voices of love and reason. We can’t have a peaceful, just world unless we forgive those who have wronged us, talk to those we disagree with and attempt to understand their point of view, and make an effort to cooperate with others.
5. Law Of Compounding :
Similar Books
