Difference between revisions of "Civicwiki:Mission"

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The government of the United States of America has been stable and continuous for almost 230 years.  No other modern government has existed that long or produced such dramatic success for its citizens, and for that matter, for the world.  (Leave a comment on the discussion page if you want to take us to task about that claim.)  A government of 230 years is old by historical standards.  Our founders would probably be surprised that their work has lasted so long - or maybe not.   
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The government of the United States of America has been stable and continuous for almost 230 years. As a constitutional republic of 230 years it is old by historical standards.  No other modern government has existed that long or produced such dramatic success for its citizens, and for that matter, for the world.  Our founders would be surprised that their work has lasted so long.   
  
The longevity of our government removes today’s youth 8 or 9 generations from its origins.  Not surprisingly, few of us today understand or have a sense of our political heritage or the source or our success.  We have been prosperous and comfortable.  Like a fish unaware of salt water, our long-running success is an uninteresting condition of life.  But just as the quality of the water may be more delicate than the fish understands, American success cannot be taken for grantedThe ideas and human spirit on which that success was built must be understood and refreshed if we are to stay ahead of the historical odds.
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For all the brilliant intellect invested in our founding, the longevity of the United States would depend less on the work of our founders than on the character of Americans - something the founders understood well.  The Declaration of Independence is a powerful statement and The Constitution is a careful and wise guide to legitimate and stable government.  But only the values, beliefs, and character of Americans can give them value.  If Americans fall too far away from their principles, The Declaration and Constitution will cease to matter.  But what are these principles that were written down so long ago?  Should they still matter?  Hasn't society changed?  The longevity of our government removes today’s youth 8 or 9 generations from its origins. We are prosperous and comfortable.  Like a fish unaware of salt water, our long-running success has become an uninteresting condition of life.
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The longevity of our government removes today’s youth 8 or 9 generations from its origins.  Not surprisingly, fewer of us today understand or have a sense of our political heritage or the source or our success.  We are prosperous and comfortable.  Like a fish unaware of salt water, our long-running success has become an uninteresting condition of life.  But our continued success is never guaranteedWe are increasingly out of touch with the ideas and human spirit on which that success was built.  They must be understood and refreshed if we are to stay ahead of the historical odds.  
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Today our society is increasingly divided internally.  CW does not know if this is a symptom or a cause, but today's political process appears to be at the core of this division.
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==The Mission==
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''CW's original mission was to provide a forum for fact-based civil discourse, free of demagoguery.'' <br>And by doing so, to equip voters to make better informed choices.
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CW was and still is a reaction to the political process as it has become today - filled with unsupported assertion, fact presented out of context, one-sided half-truths, fabrication presented as fact, and rhetoric calculated to elicit an emotional reaction, all to serve political agendas at the expense of truth and the general welfare.  <br>See [[Civicwiki:Just the Facts Maam|about Civicwiki]].
  
We are also out of touch with the ideas and human spirit that built our success.<br>Economic growth has been anemic for the last 6 years, but we've had recessions before.  <br>The larger problem is that we are increasingly out of touch with the source (and even the meaning) of American wealth and well being - (and by that we mean the wealth and well being of all of us - not some legendary few) and so it is starting to slip away for many Americans.  <br>CW would like to reverse that trend.
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''CW's mission also includes an examination of the ideas and heritage behind American success.''
  
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<!--If we are to navigate through the fog of political marketing, we must have a reliable compass.-->
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<!--To further support the CW mission of informed political choices, CW discusses the nature of economic freedom, wealth and poverty and how they should be addressed by government. 
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Wealth and poverty are topics that have become high profile political issues over the last 50 years.  Much of government policy that has been developed since the mid '60s is aimed directly at poverty and indirectly at wealth, with profound effect.  Nonetheless, we are increasingly out of touch with the source of wealth and well being - (and by that we mean the wealth and well being of all of us - not some legendary few) and so it is slipping away for many Americans.--> 
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<!--<br>We need to refresh our understanding of the source of wealth and the causes of poverty.-->
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CW pursues this mission by presenting the story of America in several parts
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:1. Our debt to the recognition of rights and the development of liberty in England
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:: and then in the English colonies in America
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:2. The journey from proud English colonists to the Declaration of Independence.
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<!--historical influences that set the stage for an independent America.  Including:
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::-- The concepts of rights and freedom developed in England and exported to the colonies.
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::-- The development of colonies in America.-->
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:3. The ideas, debates, and founding documents that resulted in the United States.  <!--Including:
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::-- The principles presented in the Declaration of Independence
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::-- The principles behind the Articles of Confederation
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::-- Principles contained in The Constitution of the United States::: and the debate over ratification as recorded in ''The Federalist Papers'' and the Anti-Federalist Papers.-->
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:4. Economic freedom's role and importance.  <!--Including:
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::-- The nature of wealth and poverty,--> and
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:5. How do we want our government to behave and the big issues that are important to us today.
  
==The Mission==
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The best tutorial for how the story is organized is to click on and read the introductory pages for each article category listed on the left sidebar or the upper right of the main page.
The original motivation for Civicwiki was the current state of political discourse and the deep social division that has caused.  CW was (and still is) to be a reaction to the political process as it has become today - filled with unsupported assertion, fact presented out of context, one-sided half-truths, fabrication presented as fact, and rhetoric calculated to elicit an emotional reaction, all to serve political agendas at the expense of truth and the general welfare.  (Please read [[Civicwiki:Just the Facts Maam|about Civicwiki]].) 
 
:So, CW's mission is to provide a forum for fact-based civil discourse, free of demagoguery.  
 
  
If we are to navigate through the fog of political marketing, we must have a reliable compass.
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At the beginning, a relatively few CW pages are written; most are blankWe must depend on our readers to help us write the pages and maintain content qualitySo, CW needs the help of writers and editorsPerhaps you would like to participate.
:To help with that and support discussion of the issues, CW's mission is also to refresh and explain the ideas and the heritage behind American success. 
 
These are agendas that we hope are acceptable to all.   
 
<!--Perhaps a few of the ideas presented on this site are original, but only a fewIn all cases, we have relied heavily on history and the writings of other, more insightful minds-->
 
  
==The Story==
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<!--
America’s longevity was the result of many factors, but chief among them was a group of very smart people who were genuinely interested in solving the problem of a stable and just federal government.  They had no self-serving political agendas beyond good government.  They believed in a basic set of unalienable rights afforded to every person.  They understood the need for a social and political society whose individual rights and security were guaranteed by a fair and just governmentThey understood that society was a collection of individuals (and the groups they would form) of diverse, and sometimes competing, interests - that would have to live peaceably together.  They were remarkable in their understanding of the problems to be solved if that society were to be stable.  And they were well educated in the history of previous efforts and in the philosophy of rights and politics.  From these understandings, they developed a constitution that defined the functions of such a government and sought to foresee the ways in which people (none of us are angels) could pollute the water.  The Constitution of the United States is a document of eternal truths expressed in unique government constructs.  It is remarkable in its wisdom and foresight.
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America’s longevity owes much to a group of very smart people who, about 235 years ago, were genuinely interested in solving the problem of a stable and just federal government.  They seemed to have no self-serving political agendas beyond forming a government that used lessons of English history and built on the thought of the liberal thinkers of the 18th century.  They wanted a government that would surpass any previous example in its ability to establish and protect freedom of the individual.  They were well educated in the history of previous efforts and in the philosophy of rights and politics; and believed in a basic set of unalienable rights afforded to every person.  They understood the need for a social and political society in which individual rights and security were guaranteed.  They were determined that the people be ultimately in charge rather than a powerful fewBut they also understood that society was a collection of individuals and groups of diverse, and sometimes competing, interests - that would have to live peaceably together.  They were remarkable in their understanding of the problems to be solved if such a society were to be stable.  From these understandings, they developed a constitution that defined how such a stable and just government would work and sought to foresee the ways in which people (none of us are angels) could pollute the water.  The Constitution of the United States is a document of eternal truths expressed in unique government constructs.  It is remarkable in its wisdom and foresight.
:Civicwiki seeks to refresh that understanding and the ideas behind America's durable nation by telling the stories of both early and modern Americans, the events and philosophies that shaped our society, our civic structure, and how those things made us successful as a nation.
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:Civicwiki seeks to refresh that understanding and the ideas behind America's durable nation by telling the stories of both early and modern America, the events and philosophies that shaped our society, our civic structure, and how those things made us successful as a nation and how our society and government are shaping it today.
 
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CW is a website with a framework to hold the narrative.  At the beginning, the pages are mostly blank.  We must depend on our readers to help us write the pages and maintain content quality.  So, CW needs the help of writers and editors.  (Perhaps you would like to participate.)
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<!--
 
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# "The ideas" are the concepts that unified Americans leading up to independence, and the concepts that were the subjects of the constitutional debates, and were then encoded into our constitution.  They are primarily about the rights of people and the duties of government – what they are and what they aren’t.  They are also about the implications of those rights – the rule of law, our country's center piece, being an example.
CW has divided the story into several parts 1) the ideas, 2) historical influences, 3) wealth and poverty in America, and 4) the issues. 
 
# "The ideas" are the concepts that unified Americans leading up to independence, were the subjects of the constitutional debates, and were then encoded into our constitution.  They are primarily about the rights of people and the duties of government – what they are and what they aren’t.  They are also about the implications of those rights – the rule of law, our country's center piece, being an example.
 
 
# Historical influences summarizes the interesting and relevant elements of American history as it was shaped by events and the ideas that guided America's development.
 
# Historical influences summarizes the interesting and relevant elements of American history as it was shaped by events and the ideas that guided America's development.
# Wealth and poverty in America seeks to explain how wealth is created, how poverty is overcome (but never completely), how this has worked in America, and the influence of government policy.
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# America's wealth seeks to explain how wealth is created, the paths out of povery, how this has worked in America, and the influence of government policy.
# "The issues" tackles those things that are of primary concern to Americans today.  This part of the story can be thought of as the bottom line.  The parts that precede it are good and interesting background.  But we have to apply what those stories teach us to the issues if the information is to serve a useful purpose.  
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# "The issues" tackles those things that are of primary concern to Americans today.  This part of the story can be thought of as the bottom line.  The parts that precede it are good and interesting background.  But we have to apply what those stories teach us to the issues if the information is to serve a useful purpose.  
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--> 
  
==Main Topics==
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<!--
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===Main Topics===
 
CW articles will be cataloged under a set of main topics
 
CW articles will be cataloged under a set of main topics
:CW’s 1st  main topic is [[Portal:Inalienable Rights|Inalienable Rights]].  It is the part of "the ideas" story.
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:CW’s 1st  main topic is [[Portal:Inalienable Rights|Inalienable Rights]].  It is the part of story of "the ideas".
 
::America was founded on a principle of rights – the fundamental few rights of people that became central to declaring independence as well as to our constitution.  These rights apply to everyone and no one person’s enjoyment of them may be violated by any person or group even if such a group constitutes a majority.  They are unalienable – therefore they outrank even the democratic process.  To understand this is the beginning of understanding the rule of law on which the stability of our country depends.
 
::America was founded on a principle of rights – the fundamental few rights of people that became central to declaring independence as well as to our constitution.  These rights apply to everyone and no one person’s enjoyment of them may be violated by any person or group even if such a group constitutes a majority.  They are unalienable – therefore they outrank even the democratic process.  To understand this is the beginning of understanding the rule of law on which the stability of our country depends.
 
:CW’s 2nd  main topic is [[Portal:America's Heritage|America's Heritage]].  These are the stories of historical influence.
 
:CW’s 2nd  main topic is [[Portal:America's Heritage|America's Heritage]].  These are the stories of historical influence.
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:CW’s 4th main topic is [[Portal:Federalism and Democracy|Federalism and Democracy]].  This also belongs to the ideas behind America.   
 
:CW’s 4th main topic is [[Portal:Federalism and Democracy|Federalism and Democracy]].  This also belongs to the ideas behind America.   
 
::It is about the constitution and the ideas that surfaced in the debate leading up to its ratification.
 
::It is about the constitution and the ideas that surfaced in the debate leading up to its ratification.
:CW’s 5th main topic is [[Portal:Wealth and Poverty in America|Wealth and Poverty in America]].   
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:CW’s 5th main topic is [[Portal:America's Wealth|America's Wealth]].   
::Wealth and poverty are very misunderstoodIt needs to be discussed.
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::Wealth and poverty are easy to misunderstandCW would like to make them commonly understood.
 
:CW’s 6th main topic is [[Portal:The Issues|“The Issues”]].   
 
:CW’s 6th main topic is [[Portal:The Issues|“The Issues”]].   
::This is where we get to the heart of the matter.  Let’s have a fact based (and unemotional) discussion about the issues that matter to us and that seem to divide America.  Let’s sweep away the political marketing, turn off the politicians and commentators and their agendas and talk to one another.
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::This is where we get to the heart of the matter.  Let’s have a fact based (and unemotional) discussion about the issues that matter to us and that seem to divide America.  Let’s ignore the political marketing, turn off the politicians and commentators and their agendas and talk to one another.
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A few of the ideas presented on this site are original.  In all cases, we have relied heavily on history and the writings of other, more insightful minds.
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-->
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<!--
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==A personal statement about the mission==
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The sponsors of Civicwiki have assumed this mission out of our love of a few things.
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:We love the idea and the beauty of those simple few [[Inalienable Rights|inalienable rights]].  We can debate the existence of other rights, but life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are fundamental. They can be explained, but not denied. They are a product of nature - or if you prefer, a gift from God.  Without them, we are to be ruled by whomever possesses the might to bend us to their will. 
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:We love the idea of living in a country where these rights are guaranteed, and where that ideal is more closely approximated than anywhere else.
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:We were fortunate to have been born in America.  We hold the immigrants who chose to come to America out of that same kind of love in high regard.
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Because of our love of the freedom and protection we enjoy in America, we feel driven to do what we can to preserve them.  We hope that this does not strike anyone as old fashioned.  If it ever becomes out of date, then freedom becomes out of date.  We do not think that will happen because the human desire for freedom is eternal.-->
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<!--We do, however, understand that governments that protect freedom are a small part of the history of civilization, and we sense that an increasing number of Americans take our success for granted.-->

Latest revision as of 21:04, 5 April 2016

The government of the United States of America has been stable and continuous for almost 230 years. As a constitutional republic of 230 years it is old by historical standards. No other modern government has existed that long or produced such dramatic success for its citizens, and for that matter, for the world. Our founders would be surprised that their work has lasted so long.

For all the brilliant intellect invested in our founding, the longevity of the United States would depend less on the work of our founders than on the character of Americans - something the founders understood well. The Declaration of Independence is a powerful statement and The Constitution is a careful and wise guide to legitimate and stable government. But only the values, beliefs, and character of Americans can give them value. If Americans fall too far away from their principles, The Declaration and Constitution will cease to matter. But what are these principles that were written down so long ago? Should they still matter? Hasn't society changed? The longevity of our government removes today’s youth 8 or 9 generations from its origins. We are prosperous and comfortable. Like a fish unaware of salt water, our long-running success has become an uninteresting condition of life.

The Mission

CW's original mission was to provide a forum for fact-based civil discourse, free of demagoguery.
And by doing so, to equip voters to make better informed choices. CW was and still is a reaction to the political process as it has become today - filled with unsupported assertion, fact presented out of context, one-sided half-truths, fabrication presented as fact, and rhetoric calculated to elicit an emotional reaction, all to serve political agendas at the expense of truth and the general welfare.
See about Civicwiki.

CW's mission also includes an examination of the ideas and heritage behind American success.

CW pursues this mission by presenting the story of America in several parts

1. Our debt to the recognition of rights and the development of liberty in England
and then in the English colonies in America
2. The journey from proud English colonists to the Declaration of Independence.
3. The ideas, debates, and founding documents that resulted in the United States.
4. Economic freedom's role and importance. and
5. How do we want our government to behave and the big issues that are important to us today.

The best tutorial for how the story is organized is to click on and read the introductory pages for each article category listed on the left sidebar or the upper right of the main page.

At the beginning, a relatively few CW pages are written; most are blank. We must depend on our readers to help us write the pages and maintain content quality. So, CW needs the help of writers and editors. Perhaps you would like to participate.