Penn ACTION will work on a variety of issue campaigns and civic engagement campaigns and, at some point in the future, is likely to endorse political candidates as well. But Penn Action isn’t just about moving a series of independent issue issues. If we want to build a strong progressive movement in Pennsylvania; if we want people to be willing stay active and engaged politically and to help us build political power, we have to work toward a set of goals and ideals that transcend a list of issues that concern us at one particular time. We
One way to formulate the ideals and aspirations that unite progressives, and to do so in a way that resonates with our history in Pennsylvania, is thisL our goal is create a new and better commonwealth here in Pennsylvania and in the United States as a whole.
A commonwealth is a particular kind of political community. It is one in which we come together not just to secure goods that flow to us as individuals but, rather, to create a way of life we can’t create on our own. A commonwealth is a community in which we are, and see ourselves, as being all in this together.
What are the chief elements of a commonwealth?
First, in a Commonwealth we are focused not just on individual goods but on common goods.
A Commonwealth recognizes that there are many goods we cannot secure on our own including:
- Cities and towns that are attractive and lively places in which to meet our friend and fellow neighbors.
- A lively culture that is supported by an educated population.
- Clean air and water as well as open spaces, parks and recreation areas that can refresh our minds and bodies.
- Advanced medical technologies that enable us to live long and well.
A Commonwealth also recognizes that some of the individual goods we care about—and especially good jobs that pay well—are created not just by individual entrepreneurs but by the kind of community in which they work. Entrepreneurs can’t create new innovative businesses without:
- An educated workforce
- A goo transportation and communication infrastructure
- Streets that are clean and safe
- Investments in basic research and technology
Second, in a Commonwealth, we care about giving everyone equal opportunity to make use of their talents and to prospect. This is important not just because it is fair to everyone but because our community as whole needs the talents of every member in order to be successful.
So, a Commonwealth will
- Make it possible for everyone to reach the highest level of education for which they are capable.
- Make health care a right not a privilege.
- Guarantee our senior citizens a decent standard of living.
- Provide those who suffer from disability a full range of opportunities.
And, third, in a Commonwealth, we respect the rights of all to choose their own path in life and be part of our common political life.
So a Commonwealth will
- Protect the civil liberties and rights of everyone, including racial, ethnic, and sexual minorities.
- Give immigrants an opportunity to become a full part of our country.
- Create a political system that is open, fair, transparent and democratic.
- Give workers a real and effective right to form unions if they choose to do so.
What is the greatest barrier to attaining the ideals that define a Commonwealth today? It is the power of immense corporations that not only dominate our economic life—often to the detriment of small businesses that are source of most new jobs—but that use their control of almost unlimited resources to twist our political system to serve their interest.
The immense power of huge corporations can only be met if we can build a counter-force, a broad coalition of labor unions and advocacy groups that organize people who are willing to put a few hours into our common political life. That kind of organizing effort is necessary to give us the political power that can force our political leaders to focus on the needs of the vast majority of working people and the middle class rather than the desires of the small number of people who control our the largest corporations.
Only the power of organized people can defeat the power of organized money.
So the fundamental goal of Penn Action to work to change public policy so that we move closer to this ideal of a commonwealth,