A Message from John Vasconcellos |
Friends and colleagues,
Now that I have retired after serving 38 years in the California State Legislature, I find myself longing to leave a lasting legacy that will preserve and sustain for future generations my radically new vision of government called the Politics of Trust.
What will best constitute this living legacy is the generation of a new movement in American politics, grounded in the belief that human beings are innately inclined toward becoming life-affirming, constructive, responsible and trustworthy. I believe that from this faithful view of our essential human nature, a whole new series of policies, programs, and political processes can emerge that truly serve to inspire and benefit the growth and healing potential of each and every citizen in our community.
Progressive literature shows how we are fast becoming a post-modern society. We boast of our new economy, we cherish our new diversity, we celebrate our new consciousness. Yet we're stuck with the same old cynical politics - a politics rooted in divisiveness and mistrust - a politics based on the belief that people are fundamentally flawed and inclined to wrongdoing, and whose lives should be restricted and controlled by government.
It's clear we live in a time when politics is failing us. It neither serves to inspire us, nor to enable us to solve our problems. Despite our many freedoms our souls are deprived, individually and collectively, by a system wrought with injustices toward the human spirit. Never before have so many people felt detached from our leaders and from the daily affairs of state and local government; and never before have we needed so desperately to come together to heal the social epidemics with which we are faced.
Many of you know how hard I've fought to establish and implement a politics that more accurately reflects our emerging consciousness and desire for a healthier community. With your help I've successfully raised the banners of healthy self esteem, of diversity, inclusion and collaboration, and of the importance of searching out the deepest roots of our problems. I've defended the virtue of authentic leadership, elevated progressive ideals to the political and social mainstream, and developed strategic relationships with hundreds of cultural leaders like yourself who are committed to developing healthier communities and a higher standard of government.
I appeal to you for your full and active partnership in my final and most ambitious undertaking of my political career. Let us work together to broadcast our faithful vision of humanity and to revolutionize our system of governance to reflect who we are becoming as a people. Let us start with ourselves, so that we may ultimately empower every institution, from our families to the United Nations, to nurture and support our capacities to become empathic neighbors and authentic leaders.
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