Here is the preamble to the 1948 United Nation Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,

  The preamble in inspiring. In many ways, the written principles of our own country reflect those ideas.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

 But, how do we measure up to the standards set by the UN and by our own Constitution?

We want peace and justice in our country and around the world—and, yet, we are poised to waste another one trillion dollars over the next ten years in another pointless, immoral war, this time in Afghanistan.

We live in a country that promises "equal justice under the law"–and, yet, same sex couples still do not have the right to marry the person they love.

Our Constitution promises a world in which we "promote the general welfare—-and, yet, 1 out of 5 of our neighbors does not have meaningful, full-time paying work.

We endeavor to live in a just society where prosperity is shared—and, yet, we are on the brink of further burdening Americans and businesses by giving the private health insurance industry a massive financial windfall, rather than acknowledge that health care is a human right that every American should have.

Liberty is a fundamental notion in America—yet, today, worker don’t have the real right to choose to be in a union because of the daily oppression in the workplace.

We know the problem. We know the solution. Let us act.

I end by asking that you pause for two minutes today to ponder the idea of human rights and what it means to you.