The United States is one of the greatest countries to live in. I really believe that. I know it’s not perfect, but it offers people an amazing amount of rights and securities that are not otherwise afforded in many places throughout the world (My recent article “Fair Trader” goes into more detail regarding these rights). We have the Bill of Rights and the Constitution as a moral compass for Human Rights development in our country, and even if you don’t agree with the development that occurs (or lack thereof), you can speak out in protest or even build a case in a court of law. That’s not bad… but there is better.
I recently ran across the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights and was stunned. The amount of detail it provides in comparison to any piece of legislation we have on the issue is amazing. Check it out: Universal Declaration of Human Rights
I know it’s a bit long, but just try reading a couple articles and see how it compares to your own thinking. Do you agree with their statements? Do you automatically default into “what it would cost” with regard to money? Do any statements make you uncomfortable? If so, why? What do you think the world would look like if these were actual rights for all people?
It’s a great document. Now, if only the UN had the authority to uphold it.