The meaning of my responsibility to America: essay

The creation and development of civil society is fundamental to many modern nations. And it is not only about countries that are just beginning their path of democratic development – this issue is also relevant for countries that have long begun to implement civil and democratic values. In this process a special role is played by the understanding of one’s own responsibility for one’s country, which by default should be inherent in every conscientious citizen. Along with write my essay we suggest reading some remarks about responsibility to one’s country and its role in the process of creating a democratic society.

What does a democratic society consist of?

Many important and interesting things have been said recently about democracy and its principles for building a civil society. This shows that modern society has not yet reached a level of development where democratic values will exist in it by default. It also shows that different social groups care about the process of building an ideal society in which each member feels secure.

But to begin with, it is necessary to understand what values form the basis of civil society. We can agree with the majority opinion that society cannot function without the following values:

  • Social responsibility;
  • Respect for the rule of law;
  • Equality of all before the law;
  • Responsibility to each other;
  • Openness to dialogue;
  • Respect for the opinions of others.

These and other values form the basis of any society, but it is necessary to understand the difference between a civil society and a democratic society. In many ways these concepts are close to each other and are often used interchangeably. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that there is a difference between them. In a democracy, the right of the majority to make important decisions for the benefit of all members of the community always comes first. Civil society considers human and citizen’s rights to be the main value, for the protection of which the law and state bodies are functioning.

It would be more correct to talk about a society in which democratic and civic values represent a single system. And in this system, the notion of responsibility to one’s state should play a fundamental role. In general terms, the state is a system that not only implements social and political values, but also adopts all available legal methods to protect these values. Every member of modern society needs to feel part of something more than just a community that inhabits a certain territory.

Through responsibility to the state, a sense of responsibility to other members of society is also formed, an understanding of one’s own and others’ importance to the development of the state and society as a whole. This understanding should not be formed under pressure – only voluntary acceptance will help to form and instill a sense of responsibility as a common culture in which personal qualities do not take precedence over public ones, nor does public opinion suppress the right to express oneself, one’s thoughts and vision for the further development of the entire state.

A Climate of Compassion

Education, Childcare & Health Care:

When it comes to the social services to nurture and invest in our children, to allow our families to thrive, and to create a climate of security and well-being, our community has not kept up with the times. It is children and low-income families who bear the brunt of this. Access to basic health care and child care is uneven; families lack affordable options and our safety net is made up of poorly funded non-profit organizations that draw funding from a patchwork of county-level disbursements, state and federal allotments, private grants, and individual fees. The city has many pressing needs, but this year, only .5% of the budget was allocated to Community Programs, despite a healthy financial situation.  We need to reestablish priorities designed to support community well-being and to work with the county to invest strategically in public programs and solutions that will contribute to a city-wide culture of caring. The city needs to work more closely with schools to support lifelong education and recreation. It must develop programs that meet the diverse cultural needs of the population — especially those who are most vulnerable, like very young parents, homeless youth, LGBT individuals, and those in need of counseling.

Public Safety:

Drew believes that community safety is founded in investments in care and the common good, which builds trust and long term security. Unfortunately, there is an increasing divide between the Santa Cruz Police Department and the community, a divide cultivated in part by the media and by our city government. We are committed to working with diverse stakeholders in the community to help us reach across the current impasse of fear and anger. A significant first step would be to decriminalize homelessness and to support new roles for officers and emergency medical technicians as first responders in situations where people are struggling with drug addiction and mental illness. Jail is not an appropriate place to house these people. Destroying someone’s future for a mistake should not be the goal of the criminal justice system. Even Drew has been charged with a nonviolent drug-oriented misdemeanor and can personally attest to the impact one mistake can have on your entire life.

We believe in standing up for people without fear or favor, and  believe Drew is positioned to help bring people together who have been driven apart by unfair and disdainful policies.

Sustainability

Sustainability, Housing, Transportation

Sustainability:

Sustainable living creates a sustainable community

Santa Cruz has the opportunity to lead in combating climate change. The Council can and must limit the University’s development to sustainable levels, preserve and invest in green space for all neighborhoods, defend our ground and surface water, and our spaces for indigenous wildlife. Sustainability protects our community- our priority.

Drew’s experience working with grassroots environmental organizations in Santa Cruz demonstrates that small non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are at the forefront of a community flourishing with expertise, ideas, and concern for ecologically intelligent design and new solutions for local economies.

Housing:

Housing security and access to social services creates a safer environment for our families and neighborhoods

Santa Cruz is one of the least affordable cities in the nation.  The Occupational Employment Statistics Survey reveals 22,235 people in the survey work in the food industry (cooks, servers, head chefs). Not a single individual of these 22,235 people could afford the 2015 median rent of $1,442 by only spending 30% of their income on rent. When spending 50% of their income, only 1,010 of these people could afford to pay the median rent (Chefs, supervisors , and cooks at institutions). Even in investing 75% of their income, 350 individuals were still unable to pay the median rent.

We must support rent control in Santa Cruz. The human costs are felt in every household, every classroom, and every workplace; our city cannot afford this and rent control can help make housing more affordable in Santa Cruz. Drew also plans to increase affordability by raising the inclusionary zoning and locking affordability to the unit, not the owner.

Drew grew up in Santa Cruz in the 90’s, raised by a single mother who was attending college, and has witnessed the housing market in our city become increasingly unaffordable, especially for the most vulnerable. Although the unaffordability of the housing market is a national problem, Drew’s campaign is focused on advocate for housing rights. He will work to Invest in local organizations, enact strategies to house people who have lost shelter, and develop new mechanisms to reduce the gap between income and rent will allow residents to contribute to the Santa Cruz community–and, most importantly–to live comfortably. by working with others to create viable options that we currently lack, such as rent control, tenants’ rights support, student groups, and ordinances that promote new, sustainable solutions.

Transportation:

A fully funded, accessible public transit system is the foundation for our future

Transportation is one of the most urgent matters facing city and county decision-makers, both in this election, and in the next years. We believe in minimizing options that create wider roadways and maximizing options that help us divest from fossil fuels and individual vehicles. Our solutions should seek commuter relief and corridor-opening by fully funding the metro, encouraging efficient mass transit and safe cycling routes, and encouraging locally self-sufficient neighborhoods by strategically supporting affordable housing and small business development in ways that reduce travel.

Inclusive Representation

Inclusive Representation in City Politics; Transparency and Accountability

This campaign is about listening to and representing people who have not always been heard in policy-making and decisions.  

Today, about one third of Santa Cruz residents are people of color.  Over half of our public school students are Latina. About one fourth of all our city’s residents live in poverty by official standards; many more struggle to survive. And these statistics don’t count the massive flight of working people out of the city.  Yet, the Santa Cruz City Council has lacked ethnic, racial and economic diversity and lacked the attentive listening required to represent these communities.

During the campaign, we will be seeking out as many members of the community as possible, to hear what concerns you have, and to hear what your positions are on key issues. Our goal is to build not just a strong candidacy, but to understand more fully the complexity of our city, and to revitalize the democratic process in Santa Cruz.  After winning a seat on the Council, Drew will continue to defend the community’s right to know public information, the right to shape policy, and the transparency and accountability of government to the people. Drew will re-investment in our social infrastructure, innovative ideas for sustainable development, and representation of diverse voices in our community will make our community better for everyone.  When minorities or vulnerable people are consistently squeezed out, silenced, made invisible, disrespected, and disproportionately punished by authorities, it creates an environment of fear and bullying. Drew is strongly committed to encouraging the following constituencies to step forward, become involved, and be recognized.

Communities of Color:

Growing up as one of  few African-American children in the community, Drew felt isolated and subjected to years of what were to me inexplicably bizarre and unfair experiences.  Drew had no context for them, no language to describe them, and was only able to recognize his experiences after reading about race and racism in college.

Today, communities of color in Santa Cruz still do not have a public culture that recognizes their histories or their realities.  It is imperative that the City make historical justice, accuracy and honoring of all peoples’ knowledge a central topic of discussion and education at community events, film festivals and celebrations, and prioritize development of diverse public library holdings and policies that can help promote an appreciation of diverse viewpoints in our city’s institutions and recognize the cultural wealth of our neighborhoods. Only when our community understands itself will it be able to move toward its goals of non-violence and create a truly just, inclusive city.

Youth and Students:  

Drew will work with youth and students to empower our future generation. Especially, Low-income youth of color who cannot see themselves reflected in their schools. Racism and oppression run rampant in their lives and many lose hope for a better future. These are the voices that should be lifted up, elevated and amplified out into the community to not only make sure they are being heard, but also to make sure they are answered.  Adults in our community owe it to youth to demonstrate that things will change; it is our job to make sure youth have the tools to help us do it. We need to encourage and motivate other youth to step forward, learn the process of city government and get involved in all aspects of society to ensure we have an educated, passionate, and competent next generation of engaged and empowered youth. These are the people who can help us envision and rebuild the youth programs we need.  Almost a third of our city’s population is of college age, and many are attending Cabrillo or UCSC. Many of them will have tremendous energy that they could invest in the community, if they had spaces and channels where they could contribute constructively and felt welcomed.

LGBTQ:

We will ensure to keep Santa Cruz a home and vital community of LGBTQ+ people. By Understanding that, the LGBTQ+ community, and LGBTQ+ individuals, are vulnerable in every aspect of life — their schools, workplaces and careers, the housing market, on the street and in private spaces.  We will consciously and intentionally create a climate of support for gender and family diversity, to reduce phobia, isolation, and bullying.

Accessibility:

With accessibility services being cut in Santa Cruz and throughout the country, people with disabilities have suffered. Particular transportation and accessibility needs within this community must continually be re-centered in policy and in design plan. For people with disabilities, there are additional challenges to be present at meetings and to explain their needs. When connective infrastructure is diminished in the public sphere, people with diverse kinds of limitations are disproportionately isolated from opportunities and community. This campaign is committed to working as an ally to this community, and to keeping access issues on the table.

Working people:

Increasing rents, a lack of affordable housing and transportation have meant that working people are being displaced from Santa Cruz at an increasingly rapid rate. Workers need places to live and adequate transportation. This can only be addressed by careful attention to the nexus of housing-transportation-wages. That requires revisiting the whole of our infrastructure to support innovative solutions that can keep this city from gentrifying its working families out of the county.