Presidential centers issue joint statement calling out fragile state of US democracy

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: ABC News/AP

WASHINGTON -- Concern for U.S. democracy amid deep national polarization has prompted the entities supporting 13 presidential libraries dating back to Herbert Hoover to call for a recommitment to the country's bedrock principles, including the rule of law and respecting a diversity of beliefs.

The statement released Thursday, the first time the libraries have joined to make such a public declaration, said Americans have a strong interest in supporting democratic movements and human rights around the world because “free societies elsewhere contribute to our own security and prosperity here at home." “But that interest,” it said, "is undermined when others see our own house in disarray.”

The joint message from presidential centers, foundations and institutes emphasized the need for compassion, tolerance and pluralism while urging Americans to respect democratic institutions and uphold secure and accessible elections. The statement noted that “debate and disagreement” are central to democracy but also alluded to the coarsening of dialogue in the public arena during an era when officials and their families are receiving death threats. “Civility and respect in political discourse, whether in an election year or otherwise, are essential,” it said.

Most of the living former presidents have been sparing in giving their public opinions about the state of the nation as polls show that large swaths of Republicans still believe the lies perpetuated by former President Donald Trump and his allies that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. Trump, a Republican, also has lashed out at the justice system as he faces indictments in four criminal cases, including two related to his efforts to overturn the results of his reelection loss to Joe Biden, a Democrat.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/presidential-centers-issue-joint-statement-calling-fragile-state-102989685

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Had to dig but this was apparently spearheaded by the Director of Shrub's Institute.

Link to statement - https://www.bushcenter.org/publications/reaffirming-americans-commitment-to-a-more-perfect-union

A statement from 13 presidential centers

The unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, are principles that bind us together as Americans. They have enabled the United States to strive toward a more perfect union, even when we have not always lived up to those ideals.

As a diverse nation of people with different backgrounds and beliefs, democracy holds us together. We are a country rooted in the rule of law, where the protection of the rights of all people is paramount. At the same time, we live among our fellow citizens, underscoring the importance of compassion, tolerance, pluralism, and respect for others.

We, the undersigned, represent a wide range of views across a breadth of issues. We recognize that these views can exist peaceably side by side when rooted in the principles of democracy. Debate and disagreement are central features in a healthy democracy. Civility and respect in political discourse, whether in an election year or otherwise, are essential.

Americans have a strong interest in supporting democratic movements and respect for human rights around the world because free societies elsewhere contribute to our own security and prosperity here at home. But that interest is undermined when others see our own house in disarray. The world will not wait for us to address our problems, so we must both continue to strive toward a more perfect union and help those abroad looking for U.S. leadership.

Each of us has a role to play and responsibilities to uphold. Our elected officials must lead by example and govern effectively in ways that deliver for the American people. This, in turn, will help to restore trust in public service. The rest of us must engage in civil dialogue; respect democratic institutions and rights; uphold safe, secure, and accessible elections; and contribute to local, state, or national improvement.

By signing this statement, we reaffirm our commitment to the principles of democracy undergirding this great nation, protecting our freedom, and respecting our fellow citizens. When united by these convictions, America is stronger as a country and an inspiration for others.

Obama Presidential Center

George W. Bush Presidential Center

Clinton Foundation

George & Barbara Bush Foundation

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute

The Carter Center

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation

Richard Nixon Foundation

LBJ Foundation

John F. Kennedy Library Foundation

Truman Library Institute

Roosevelt Institute

Hoover Presidential Foundation

One of the articles mentioned that the Eisenhower Foundation neglected to sign.

[Freethinker65]

1. Ironic then that conservatives have been defunding, and banning books from, libraries.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. Well it shows how those self-same "conservatives"

have allowed the RW fringe to take over their party and that left "the establishment" like deer in headlights with every extreme action the ones they coddled, carries out.

They could have cut them off from the beginning but they didn't because these far-right extremists "served a purpose" - literally able to scrape the very scum of a previously non-voting population - the racists, anti-semites, misogynists, homophobes, and white supremacists - and make them"voters" so they could help to "add votes" to the (R) column.

Now the monster they created and fed is completely out of control and they are struggling to break their addiction to them, including what they were originally recruited and used for - "short term gains".

[Freethinker65]

4. +100

[SouthernDem4ever]

2. In other words.....

Get your act together repuglicans and quit supporting total worthless assholes in your party which are a detriment to all of us.

[Novara]

5. Yeah, and the GQP will pay a whole lot of attention to that....

[BumRushDaShow]

6. It's actually not directed to them

That group prefers to engage ins mud wrestling and slime challenges.

It's directed to the "elite" and cowardly GOP who continue to sit on the sidelines shaking in their boots, and not knowing what to do. They know that it will impact THEM if this country loses its democracy and the blame will be squarely laid at their feet.

[Novara]

7. I don't make a distinction between the GQP and the GOP

To me they're one and the same. Those who stay silent give their tacit approval.

[Backseat Driver]

8. Here's The Guardian's take on this farcical plea...

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/07/presidential-library-democracy-statement

Just a snip: "The bipartisan statement was signed by the Hoover Presidential Foundation, the Roosevelt Institute, the Truman Library Institute, the John F Kennedy Library Foundation, the LBJ Foundation, the Richard Nixon Foundation, the Gerald R Ford Presidential Foundation, the Carter Center, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, the George & Barbara Bush Foundation, the Clinton Foundation, the George W Bush Presidential Center and the Obama Presidential Center.

Those organizations all support libraries created under the Presidential Library Act of 1955, along with the Eisenhower Foundation. That group said it “respectfully declined to sign this statement … we have had no collective discussion about it, only an invitation to sign”. The foundation also said each presidential entity had its own programs related to democracy.

The push for the statement was spearheaded by David Kramer, executive director of the George W Bush Institute. Kramer said the former president “did see and signed off on this statement”.
==============================================================

It's cheerleading for being politically nice? from *41's Institute (bolding mine)

[BumRushDaShow]

9. Nicole had David Carroll from the Carter Center's Democracy Program on her show (Deadline)

https://www.cartercenter.org/peace/democracy/program_staff.html

And he spent a good amount of time describing their take on this and why they signed off on it.

The video of it hasn't been uploaded yet since it only ended an hour ago, but at this point, as long as DU accepts the Lincoln Project and even Nicole Wallace and other GOPers or former GOPers who have had enough, then it behooves to encourage these people to go after the loons that have taken over their party, and basically call them out, like this statement pretty much does without being completely explicit.

[ShazzieB]

10. +100!

[The Grand Illuminist]

11. Um no.

This is a war that needs to be to a total and irrefutable finish. The RW started this and it is up to us to finish it ultimately. All attempts of reconciliation have been tried and failed. It really makes one wonder what would happen if the post civil war Reconstruction did not happen and the confederates just fend for themselves.

[BumRushDaShow]

12. When I heard David Carroll from the Carter Center on Nicolle's show last night

I don't think it was so much pushing for "reconciliation" but was more a klaxon to say "something is wrong and it's time for nations to acknowledge it and start to address it". Remember that the Carter Center has been participating in election monitoring globally and have intensified doing so right here in the U.S. (including in Atlanta where the Carter Library is).

I.e., the first step of solving a problem is admitting that you have one.

In the past, politicians and pundits would hear cries about "saving our democracy" and waved it away as "just politics", "rhetoric", "hyperbole", and "overreaction".

But after January 6, the "reality" of it became clearer and it wasn't "hyperbole" anymore. In fact, the danger has continued these past 2 years where you even had other countries doing "copycat insurrections" (e.g., Brazil associated with Bolsonaro).

So I think "bipartisan acknowledgement" (which now includes the lazy-ass GOP who sat quiet when all this was going on while they allowed their party to be hijacked by far right extremists to the detriment of the 236 year history of this country) is a positive move forward.