Ethical Leaders Network

Barbara Ehrenreich's book, Nickel and Dimed, is an excellent book discussion resource. Attached to this post is a resource for Ethical Societies which might be using this book for discussion groups around economic justice issues.

Ethical Culture – Peace, Justice and the International Criminal Court

Since its inception in 1876, Ethical Culture has been a staunch defender of both peace and justice. This dual orientation finds its philosophical ground in a central commitment to the intrinsic worth of the person, and the vision of a society of mutually sustaining individuals, emergent from this commitment. Ethical Culture has held that both injustice as well as violence, especially as expressed through war, violate both human dignity and a harmonious social order necessary for human flourishing. Its history reveals its energetic accomplishments in the fields of both social justice and peace undertaken in progressive fulfillment of its ethical ideals.

Notes on The Future of Success: Working and Living in the New Economy
by Robert E. Reich, 2000

What is most intriguing about this very accessible work by Robert Reich is his analysis of the forces in the “new economy.” He points out that the increases in communication and technology spurs globalization and brings Americans a greater variety and higher quality of material goods than ever before. These changes are fuelled on our ability to choose what we want with greater ease: what we buy, where we live, where we work. The ability to make these choices decrease the stabilizing forces of consumer loyalty and the idea of the “company man.” Mobility is high. Producers and employers must work harder to keep consumers and employees. This is done, however, not by creating incentive packages (including health care and retirement benefits) to bind employees to a company for life, but rather by offering higher wages to those innovative employees in greatest demand. In all industries, from software to sports, people move from one employer to another constantly. Increasing competition bought us more material options but less stability.

RESOLUTION OF THE AMERICAN ETHICAL UNION (AEU)

Reaffirming support for equal rights for Lesbian, Gay,
Bi-sexual, Transgender, Questioning and Queer people

PROPOSED BY THE NATIONAL LEADERS COUNCIL
AND ADOPTED BY THE 95TH ASSEMBLY OF THE AEU
SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA, JUNE 2010

WHEREAS, Ethical Culture / Ethical Humanism affirms the worth and dignity of all people and supports equal rights for all, and

WHEREAS, We have repeatedly opposed discrimination against people because of sexual identity, sexual orientation, gender expression or affectional preference,

FROM THE NATIONAL LEADERS COUNCIL
OF THE AMERICAN ETHICAL UNION

DECEMBER 8, 2009

The National Leaders Council of the American Ethical Union opposes President Obama’s plan to dramatically increase the number of troops involved in the conflict in Afghanistan as unreasonable and unjustified. Increased military operations will result in increased deaths of both civilians and armed forces. Further, means of force will not solve the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan. It is the wrong means aimed at the wrong enemy.