NOTE: THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL FORWARD POLICY PAGE. IT IS A POSSIBLE DRAFT PLATFORM FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE MISSOURI FORWARD PARTY.
Human Centered
In a nation of 331 million humans, being “Human Centered” would seem like the default position for pretty much everything. But it’s not. We have elections where the two major political parties effectively decide who we get to vote for, not the voters themselves. When our elected officials are debating and passing laws, their positions are often based more on ideology rather than how the legislation would help or harm a specific group of people. In our capitalist economy, an ever-smaller share of the rewards goes to working Americans with an ever-larger share captured by a small part of our population. Even in our conversations we are more likely to dismiss those with whom we disagree. Consciously, unconsciously, we have allowed our society to become less human centered.
The priorities of the Forward Party are Free People, Thriving Communities and Vibrant Democracy. Being “Human Centered” is how these priorities are translated into policies:
Making our country more “Human Centered” doesn’t mean some grand transformation of our society or economy. Instead, it will be achieved through the cumulative impact of many smaller decisions and initiatives. By understanding the impact of our actions on humans, and ensuring what we do advances the needs of people, not platforms. Being Human Centered is a process that starts with a conscious decision to always think about the humans first.
“Human Centered” fulfils the most basic promise of our country and government, the promise of equality of opportunity. Our country has never believed in a guarantee of equality of outcome, but we have always believed that the basic purpose of government was to extend individual freedom – to make sure that every individual has the opportunity and ability to choose the course of his or her life. “Human Centered” is how we extend freedom to the 331 million humans that make up this great country of ours. “Human Centered” is how the Forward Party will lead us to a better future.
The priorities of the Forward Party are Free People, Thriving Communities and Vibrant Democracy. Being “Human Centered” is how these priorities are translated into policies:
- Human Centered Democracy – changing elections to give voters more control, and parties less
- Human Centered Capitalism – ensuring every American can benefit from our economy
- Human Centered Governance – basing policy debates and legislation on their human impact
Making our country more “Human Centered” doesn’t mean some grand transformation of our society or economy. Instead, it will be achieved through the cumulative impact of many smaller decisions and initiatives. By understanding the impact of our actions on humans, and ensuring what we do advances the needs of people, not platforms. Being Human Centered is a process that starts with a conscious decision to always think about the humans first.
“Human Centered” fulfils the most basic promise of our country and government, the promise of equality of opportunity. Our country has never believed in a guarantee of equality of outcome, but we have always believed that the basic purpose of government was to extend individual freedom – to make sure that every individual has the opportunity and ability to choose the course of his or her life. “Human Centered” is how we extend freedom to the 331 million humans that make up this great country of ours. “Human Centered” is how the Forward Party will lead us to a better future.