Welcome to the Founding Meeting April 1, 2009

by Rannfrid Thelle

It is a great privilege to welcome all of you today to this gathering to found the Wichita Democratic Socialists of America. All of us who are here share fundamental values and a vision for a society that is more fair, where everyone has a voice and a channel for participation and has the opportunity to shape the decisions that affect our lives. We base our values on the idea of the fundamental equality of all human beings and each individual's inalienable rights, but also the realization that human beings are flawed and will not always act out of interest for the other. For that reason we strive for systems that can act to secure these fundamental rights for everyone, so that everyone can have care as children, education, decent work with a wage to sustain the family, decent housing, adequate health care, the opportunity for cultural expression and meaningful leisure, care in old age, and dignity in death.

 Our vision is of a society that protects the environment and develops sustainable industries and means of production, one of an international economic order that is fair and does not exploit people or other life. We reject any kind of discrimination based on race, ethnicity (a term I prefer, since we all belong to the human race), gender, sexuality or religious affiliation. We strive for a peaceful and just resolution of conflicts and reject brutality and violence to defend the status quo. We also believe in freedom, not of the neo-liberal kind, but in freedom from oppression, freedom to participate and shape the democratic process, and freedom from poverty. Finally, we believe in solidarity, and not simply in charity. Only by joining forces and identifying with fellow humans can we together end poverty, social inequality, and exploitation of workers at home and abroad. Only by joining forces with all the other forces of democracy and equality can our socialist vision be achieved.