FDR and the Second Bill of Rights

Jesus said, "for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me." Matthew 25:35-36

What does it mean to be human AND do we need to insure that our neighbor has what she needs to live into that reality?

Jesus' quote and the questions I pose are at the core of our Christian vocation. Since our salvationhas been secured through the work of Jesus and the promise we have receaved in ourbaptisms, we are now free to DO that which God has put before us: care of theneighbor.

To be human seems to be something that we need to protect. In Exodus 23:9 we have a wonderful admonishment: You shall not oppress a resident alien; you know the heart of an alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. There are many more quotes like these throughout the Hebrew Scriptures that compel us to take seriously our role in protecting our neighbor, even those who might not belong in a traditional way. To be human, especially in our day, is often denied because our economies and our politics get in the way of basic rights to this end.

Even in our politics we get a glimpse of genius about how we might go about creating a culture where everyone can be a human. Jesus suggests there are basic needs: Food, water, acceptance (hospitality), clothing, health care, and a just prison system. It is interesting that President F.D. Roosevelt took up this up in his suggestion for a second Bill of Rights.

In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident. We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all—regardless of station, race, or creed.Among these are:

• The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;

• The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;

• The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;

• The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;

• The right of every family to a decent home;

• The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;

• The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;

• The right to a good education.

All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being.America's own rightful place in the world depends in large part upon how fully these and similar rights have been carried into practice for all our citizens.For unless there is security here at home there cannot be lasting peace in the world.

It is fascinating that Roosevelt equated peace with these rights. 70 years later none of these rights have really found fruition, in fact they seem to be under attack and we have no peace. Coincidence? I think it is time that we begin to educate each other during this election cycle about what is important for the good of the nation. I think President Roosevelt’s call should be shouted out again.