FIVE THINGS THAT EVERY DEMOCRACY IN THE WORLD VALUES AND TRIES TO PROMOTE Values of Democracy

Worth and Dignity of Every Person Ec&feature=player_embedded A Message From Lady Gaga to the Senate (Sept, 16, 2010 ) - Pop singer Lady Gaga took to the web Friday, telling Congress "to do your job" - calling to vote on the defense authorization bill, which includes authorization to repeal 'don't ask, don't tell' (the law bans openly gay, lesbian and bisexual people from serving in the military). - "Our fight is a continuum of the ever present equal rights movement, everyday we fight to abolish laws that harbor hatred and discrimination against all people, laws that infringe on our civil liberties," - This is an example of Americans working on valuing the worth of every person that serves in our military no matter what their sexual orientation is.

Equality of All Persons Freedom Rides, Freedom Rides were journeys by civil rights activists into southern states to aid in the ending of segregation. - Efforts were focused on integrating bus terminals, rest rooms, restaurants, etc. - Another main goal of the Freedom Rides was to register black voters and create political organizations were their voices could be heard. - These freedom riders, backed by the United States national government, aided in creating equality in many areas of the country were there was little at this time. This is an example of when Americans worked toward promoting the value of equality of all persons.

Majority Rule, Minority Rights Fox News Poll: Voters Continue to Oppose Mosque near Ground Zero American voter attitudes have not shifted much on the proposed mosque and Islamic Cultural Center near the World Trade Center site in New York City. About six in ten (61 percent) now think it would be the wrong thing to do, down slightly from the 64 percent who felt that way in August, according to the latest Fox News poll. About one-third of voters (32 percent) take the opposite view -- that it is appropriate to build a mosque and Islamic Cultural Center near ground zero in lower Manhattan. However, voters agree -- irrespective of their opinion of the project -- that the group promoting the mosque and Islamic Cultural Center has the right to build it. Almost three-quarters take this view. Today, nearly two-thirds of Republicans (62 percent) support the right to build the project near ground zero. This is an example of majority rule with minority rights in America. Even though a majority of Americans (61%) oppose the building of an Islamic cultural center in downtown Manhattan the government backs that this group has the right to build the center (Freedom of Religion). Most notably is the Republican viewpoint. Only about 15% of Republicans support the building of the project, however, 62% agree that the group has the Constitutional right to build the center. (in other words they don’t like it, but agree that it’s a right that should be protected for all Americans) news-poll-voters-continue-oppose-mosque-near- ground-zero/

Necessity of Compromise New Pay-to-Play Policy Students planning to begin sports, music and other fall activities August 16 in Quakertown Community School District will need to pay $50 to help offset budget woes. The Board of School Directors approved the new pay-to-play policy when it passed the budget in June. Refunds will only be issued if a student fails to make the final cut for the team. “In order to minimize more drastic measures that will impact our students, and to help us provide a well-rounded program of extracurricular activities, the board approved an activity fee,” explained Dr. Lisa Andrejko, Superintendent. The fee for will be $50 for students to participate in an extracurricular activity per season – fall, winter and spring, with a family yearly cap of $150. If the fees pose a hardship, families can seek limits or waivers by filling out a form showing they meet specific criteria. Many people, businesses, companies, families, and schools in America have had to cut back because of economic hardships. Quakertown was faced with a budget deficit and had to work out a compromise while balancing taxes, student interest, and costs into account. A compromise was reached called the Pay-to-Play policy. This compromised was decided upon as it would not raise taxes, would not cut programs, and seemed to be the best option available. In Quakertown, and in America, if the compromise does not work out things can be renegotiated. p?A=3&Q=301668

Individual Freedom These pictures represent freedom of speech which is a individual freedom guaranteed by the first amendment. This freedom is a unique one to America, it is because of freedom of speech that we can have many of the other freedoms that we value such as religion, press, assembly, and petition.