Economic Democracy News
May 2025
Democracy
A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, through elected representatives.
~ Oxford Languages
Capitalism ( U.S. Economics)
An economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the
state.
~ Oxford Languages
A Spiritual Case for: “Liberty and Justice for All”
Economic Democracy
A proposal to shift ownership and decision making from corporate shareholders and corporate managers (such as a board of directors) to a larger group of shareholders that includes workers, consumers, suppliers, communities and the broader public. No single definition or approach encompasses economic democracy …..
~ Wikipedia
The Pledge Of Allegiance provides a frame for All Americans.
A frame is an overarching vision, with a moral basis.
Economic Democracy is a frame (vision) that covers every aspect of our society.
Democracy must guide our economics to ensure basic human dignity.
Let’s explore this vision, from a spiritual perspective, from the wisdom of the ages ….
A Prophetic Vision: “Generosity vs Greed”
From Jesus and His Prophets
“Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:15)
Jesus told his followers to give to every0ne who asks (Luke 6:30), to give to those who can’t repay (Luke 14:13) and to freely give what we have freely received (Matthew 10:8). Paul established the principle that what we reap is a reflection of what we sow (2 Corinthians 9:6). (Tithely https://get.tithe.ly)
Social Progress Imperative (Europe)
Mission Statement
We dream of a world in which people come first. A world where families are safe, healthy and free. Economic development is important, but strong economies alone do not guarantee strong societies. If people lack the most basic human necessities, the building blocks to improve their quality of life, a healthy environment and the opportunity to reach their full potential, a society is failing no matter what the economic numbers say.
The Social Progress Index is a new way to define the success of our societies. It is a comprehensive measure of real quality of life, independent of economic indicators. socialprogress.org
From Thich Nhat Hanh, Buddhist master
Dear Mother Earth,
The human species is but one of your many children. Unfortunately, many of us have been blinded by greed, pride and delusion, and only a few of us have been able to recognize you as Mother. Not realizing this, we have done you great harm, compromising both your health and your beauty. Our deluded minds push us to exploit you and create more discord, putting you and all your forms of life under stress and strain.
When greed and pride overtake our basic survival needs, the result is always violence and unnecessary devastation …
(https://plumvillage.org/articles/love-letter-to-the-earth-can-mother-
earth-count-on-us).
My Unitarian Universalist Vision
My vision is for UU’s across Maine, led by the Brunswick Chapter, is to lead a challenge to our “Culture of Greed and Violence,” with the prophetic vision of an Economic Democracy.
Let’s begin with Sunday services, June 30. May this lead to a strong presence in Maine
May our 250th birthday be the birth of a healing and just society, and may the discussion begin with our Brunswick UU community!
Frederick Lancaster, Bath, ME., publicgood@earthlink.net
