Global Marshall Plan / H. Res. 1078 Endorsement

We the undersigned, by affirming the highest American values of love, caring, kindness, and generosity; 

WHEREAS, the unbridled pursuit of narrow self-interest, both through military tactics and through economic means, has bred anti-American sentiment in other parts of the world and contributed to widespread poverty and environmental degradation;

WHEREAS, standing in solidarity with all of the peoples of the world and actively caring for each other is a more effective means to achieve long-term security and survival than is violence and militarism;

WHEREAS, the Global Marshall Plan will call for

- Dedication of least 1-2% of the gross domestic product of the G-8 nations, starting with the United States as a leader by example, every year for the next 20 years to eliminating global poverty, homelessness, and hunger; to improving education and health care; and to restoring the global environment;

- Creation of an international, unbiased, nongovernmental mechanism for receiving the funds (including both foreign aid and alternative sources of financing) and distributing them in a way that is environmentally sensitive, respectful of native cultures, safeguarded against corruption, protected from manipulation to serve elite interests, and empowering of the people in each region;

- Revision of trade agreements in which the U.S. is currently involved so that they no longer privilege the most powerful and economically successful Western countries and the elites of other countries at the expense of the poor of the world and so that they protect farmers at home and abroad; and so that they support working people in organizing, receiving a living wage, and working under adequate safety and health conditions and environmental safeguards;

- Hands-on involvement from peoples of the Western world, starting with the United States, through a greatly expanded peace and justice corps open to people of all ages and compensating them with college tuition and room and board or generous stipends;

- Training armies of the world to become experts in ecologically sensitive construction of those aspects of their own societies that need relief and reconstruction, including agriculture, health care, housing, infrastructure, education, and appropriate technology; and

-  Worldwide training in techniques of nonviolent communication, respect for cultural and other diversity, environmental sustainability, family and parental support, stress reduction, emergency health techniques, diet and exercise, and caring for others who are in need of help.

WHEREAS, the enactment of a Global Marshall Plan will hold generosity and caring as organizing principles for American society, which will change the tone of the society;

WHEREAS, the enactment of a Global Marshall Plan will eventually redirect funds from war and defense to programs to eliminate domestic poverty and thus eliminate a root cause of violence in our communities;

WHEREAS, the enactment of a Global Marshall Plan will eventually reduce federal spending on the military budget, thereby redirecting funds to the states and cities and assisting in the balancing of local budgets;

WHEREAS, the enactment of a Global Marshall Plan will encourage individuals to express their innate tendencies toward generosity and caring rather than those toward domination and control, thereby strengthening human relationships and creating a stronger bonds between nations.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we support the enactment of a Global Marshall Plan in a spirit of humility and with great sensitivity to cultural differences and environmental sustainability;

FURTHERMORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we the undersigned urge you to become an advocate for the Global Marshall Plan in the U.S. Congress.