In his State of the Union address delivered over the radio from the White House on Jan. 11, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt offered a blueprint for the future of the United States. He proposed a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all regardless of station, race, or creed:
“The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation.
“The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation.
“The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living.
“The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad.
“The right of every family to a decent home.
“The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health.
“The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident and unemployment.
“The right to a good education.”
Suggestions:
There is of course much work to do to implement FDR’s visionary list. While we are at it, the following should also be added:
The explicit right to vote and to be free from discrimination in the voting process.
The guarantee of equal legal rights for all U.S. citizens regardless of sex.
The right to marry whomever one chooses regardless of sex, race, ethnicity.
The right to be free from the threat of armed violence, which would require sensible regulation of all weapons (A well REGULATED Militia…).
The right to privacy in one’s home and in all communications unless served with a legal search warrant or explicitly offered (mandatory default option for all actions and communications would be NO) and chooses to opt out of this right.