FCNL Policy Statement : Part III

Section 1. Fostering Economic Justice

We seek to eliminate hunger and poverty at home and abroad through economic policies that enlarge opportunities for all people to have an adequate income. We believe that governmental policies should seek to eliminate large economic disparities and the concentration of wealth in few hands. All persons should receive an income adequate to maintain health and dignity. We believe more equitable economies are also more productive.

Domestic Economic Life
In the United States, federal government policy directly affects communities and establishes the framework in which private economic decisions are made. The federal budget should allow for adequate spending to meet the actual needs of the nation, including federal assistance to individuals, communities, and states. Resources should be refocused from military spending to meeting human needs. We support progressive taxation so the tax burden on individuals is related to the ability to pay. We oppose raising revenue through government-sponsored gambling. Corporations that do business in the United States, whether or not headquartered in the United States, should pay their fair share of taxes.

In general, ongoing federal programs and activities should be paid for with current revenues. Government borrowing is appropriate only for countering economic recessions and making long-term investments in research, education, health, environmental protections, and public infrastructure.

We affirm that a key role of the private sector is to create jobs and economic development. (See note 4 in Part I regarding sustainable development.) Corporations exert considerable power over society, both directly and through influencing federal and local government policy. We believe the federal government should take an active role in ensuring corporate accountability through such measures as strengthening and enforcing antitrust, fraud, and securities oversight legislation. The use of public funds to guarantee corporate security through bailouts is not an appropriate role for government. Government regulation of corporations should emphasize the social responsibilities of corporations for the environment, human rights, public safety, and the communities in which they operate. Corporations in the United States should no longer enjoy the status and benefits of "corporate personhood" under the law.

Global Economic Interdependence
Due to the size and impact of its economy, the United States has a particular responsibility to conduct its affairs in ways consistent with the economic, environmental, and social well-being of all the world's people. U.S. policies must ensure that the benefits of globalization do not adversely affect the right-sharing of world resources. The concentration of wealth in a few countries and groups can be a destabilizing force on society and its institutions. The globalization of economic activity requires increasing individual and corporate responsibility for the full life cycle of goods and services.

Amidst growing global economic interdependence, the terms of international agreements assume growing importance. To assure broad benefits from such agreements, negotiating processes must provide for participation by the range of parties affected. These include representatives of labor, trade, environmental movements, non-governmental organizations, as well as international organizations such as United Nations development and human rights organizations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization.

Employment
Meaningful work contributes to the development of human potential, self-esteem, and community well-being. We believe that "work" includes a wide range of socially valuable activities, paid as well as unpaid. We affirm the responsibility of everyone to contribute to society through work, within the limits of health and other capabilities. It is a public responsibility to ensure that each person is provided with the skills and opportunity to earn income adequate for family needs through work under non-exploitative conditions. We affirm the responsibility of government to promote job creation and training; to design public assistance programs to enhance human dignity and development; and to provide for those who cannot provide for themselves. We support the institution of a living wage in this country. We believe in strengthening laws that guarantee all workers, including those in agriculture, the right to organize unions and to bargain collectively. The United States should adequately fund programs to assist and retrain people dislocated by economic restructuring or military conversion.

Hunger and poverty can and should be eliminated at home and abroad through economies that enlarge the opportunities for participation by all people in each society. We will support policies that enable various economic models promoting economic justice to flourish. Economic institutions and policies should make rational economic decisions possible and should provide for the dispersal of political and economic power. We deplore the excessive and increasing concentration of wealth and the disproportionate racial and gender expressions of these inequalities. All persons should receive income adequate to maintain health and dignity. We believe that economies will be not only more equitable but also more productive as income inequality is reduced and economic opportunities are increased.

In the United States, federal government policy directly affects communities and establishes the framework in which private economic decisions are made. It is a public responsibility to ensure that each person is provided with the skills and opportunity to earn income adequate for family needs through work under non-exploitative conditions. We recognize the responsibility of government to provide for those who cannot provide for themselves, to promote job creation and training, and to structure welfare and public assistance to enhance human dignity and development. Meaningful work contributes to the development of human potential, self-esteem, and community well-being. We recognize that "work" includes a multitude of socially valuable activities, paid as well as unpaid. We emphasize the responsibility of everyone to contribute to society through work, within the limits of health and other capacities.

Section 2. Building Viable Communities

The development of safe and thriving communities that honor diversity should be a major objective of government policy. Strong communities depend upon a broad and resilient economic base. We call for a national commitment to work with and support state and local communities to assure adequate infrastructure, health care, housing, education and public transportation. This will require federal assistance, including increased economic opportunities, public investment, and incentives for private investment and non-exploitative, environmentally sensitive development. Concurrently, we affirm the need to involve local residents and businesses in the design and implementation of economic development programs.

Health Care
We affirm health care as a right, regardless of employment or ability to pay. We support universal access to timely health care. We support preventive, curative, and palliative health care, using principles of chronic disease management when appropriate. To maintain and improve the physical and mental health of the entire population, health care must cover the entire life span. We recognize that substance abuse and domestic violence should be addressed as health care issues that require treatment. We advocate systems that provide for the fair distribution of health care resources.

Public health services, which affect us all on a community and environmental basis, require continued federal support. Such programs should be independent of, but coordinated with, national security systems.

Challenge:⁴ Members of the Society of Friends are not in unity on abortion issues. Therefore, FCNL takes no position and does not act either for or against abortion legislation. On occasion, FCNL may appeal to lawmakers not to use the abortion debate to paralyze action on other legislation.

Education
In addition to providing basic knowledge and skills, education should foster critical thinking and provide a foundation for individual growth and responsible participation in a democratic society. We support lifelong access to education. We support programs that promote conflict resolution, diversity awareness, recognition of global interdependence, and opportunities for learners to pursue their individual potential. We support civilian programs that promote peace by encouraging voluntary service in national and international organizations. We oppose military recruitment in schools, JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps), ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) programs and military training for young people as well as any compulsory national service.

The federal government has an important role to play in addressing the educational needs of underserved areas and disadvantaged populations. A strong public education system requires adequate funding that is equitably distributed and locally controlled. Adequate financing by public means will preclude school systems seeking corporate funds, which may be inconsistent with the educational mission.

Housing
We believe that safe, adequate, affordable housing should be available to all. Government policies should provide appropriate community-based services for people who need supported living environments such as the homeless, the mentally or physically disabled, and the elderly.

Families and Households with Children
All children have the right to living conditions that include adequate food, housing, health care, and an environment free from violence and poverty. We support tax policies, welfare policies, and flexible employment policies that enable parents and other caregivers to care for children at home. We also support an expansion of safe, supportive, and affordable child care and early education programs. We encourage increased funding for programs to prevent substance abuse, child and other domestic abuse, and to provide constructive intervention. Intervention programs should include an alternative safe environment if needed.

Agriculture
It is essential that the United States maintain a sound agricultural base to ensure safe, adequate, and affordable food, fiber, and other essential agricultural products. The destruction of farmland by uncontrolled suburban development and unsound agricultural practices must be addressed. Farmland, farmers, workers, and consumers must be protected by ensuring that chemicals and genetically engineered products are proven safe for people and the environment. Government policy should assure the consumers' right to be informed when and how their food has been altered. It is important to maintain a strong, self-perpetuating agricultural system that can sustain independent farm families within a healthy environment.

Transportation
Many people lack access to affordable, reliable transportation. In order to build viable communities and regions, more energy-efficient public transit systems are needed, requiring federal funds and compatible land use policies. Federal policies should also encourage ecologically sustainable forms of transportation, such as walking, bicycling, and car-pooling.

Reviewed: 02/20/2007

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