“Political Power, Moral Responsibility, and the Interests of the American People”
Now, you have won significant political seats and offices across the states. The American people have voted for you because they believed in your political vision, public policies, and the values you embodied during your political campaigns—not just your mere rhetorical gestures and strategies.
We will watch you closely with this enormous power and control we have given you, and that you now have across various political offices and diversities in this country. We would like to remind you about the following:
1. Power comes with moral responsibility.
2. Power comes with ethical accountability.
3. Power comes with access and privileges.
4. Political power can be used strategically to unite a country that’s profoundly wounded, a nation deeply divided, and a people longing for healing, harmony, peace, and dignity.
5. Political power means participatory solidarity with the American people and active companionship in various difficult times and situations, especially during moments of shared adversity and shared vulnerability.
6. Political power and servant leadership is a good marriage to make things work in public and cultivate a sense of national belonging, mutual understanding, and an ethic of care and interdependence.
7. Political power and influence can be used strategically and democratically to restore public trust and confident leadership.
Most importantly, political power can be used to improve the living conditions of those without healthcare and the individuals who have lost healthcare benefits; to strengthen employment and higher education opportunities; to restore faith in our public education, especially k-12; to advocate through human-centered policies and politics the shared interests of the economically-marginalized groups, the socially-underrepresented populations—the poor, the sick, the widow, the orphan, the single mother, the refugee, the asylum seeker, etc.—within our democratic system and institutions.
Finally, your political office provides you with an incredible opportunity to represent the best interests of and serve the American people, and to be their committed cheerleaders and fiercest advocates in all circumstances—both in public and when you’re making political deals behind closed doors.
Use the power the American people have entrusted to you to transform our society, restore trust and moral leadership—both nationally and internationally—and to make democracy work as an everyday experience for all people in society and the world toward human flourishing.
