Subject: Pope Francis speech proposal
From: Brent Budowsky <[email-masked]>
To: John Podesta <[email-masked]>, Roy Spence <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 26 Sep 2015 06:57:09 -0400

Please note: While this memo is addressed to Hillary Clinton, I am sending a blind
copy to Secretary of State Kerry, because Secretary Clinton and Secretary Kerry
are the two leading American public figures who can give different versions, from
different perspectives, of a major address translating the teachings of the pope
into actionable policy ideas at the domestic and global level.

Let me propose that Hillary give a major address with a title such as "How Pope
Francis Inspires Me" and a subtitle such as "A Bill of Rights for the poor."  Such as
speech would combine direct references to specific teachings of Pope Francis,
lessons she has learned from her own Methodist faith, and common teachings 
about helping the poor from the great religions of the world.

Such a speech could emphasize the hope for ultimately setting aside our political
divisions, which the pope explicitly called for in his speech to the joint session of
Congress.  In my vision of this speech, she would specify her own plan listing
details on major issues for a Bill of Rights for the poor, one by one, offering
specific major proposals within a broader narrative beginning with Pope Francis
and extending to the other great religions

And she would pledge, if elected, that one of her first actions in office would be to seek a bipartisan meeting with Congressional leaders from both parties, to develop a bipartisan bill of rights for the poor that would welcome Republican and conservative ideas, in the tradition of Jack Kemp, along with Democratic and progressive ideas.

Such a speech could be in the nature of a formal address, or remarks in the form
of a sermon or homily at a church or major religious convention.  The venue could be the JFK presidential library, Notre Dame University, St. Patrick's Cathedral, or the National Press Club.  And again, since the pope explicitly called for political leaders to set aside their differences in pursuit of higher common goals, while the "Bill of Rights for the poor" would have directly progressive overtones, the willingness to meet with Republicans and conservatives would offer an honorable answer to the pope's call with a legitimately nonpartisan tone.

If there is serious interest, I would be more than  happy to volunteer to draft either
a detailed narrative memo listing content ideas or a first version of speech language,
though I emphasize I would not want money, a job, or any form of public recognition
if this works---which I am highly confident it will.  I am just so inspired by the pope
and so disgusted by our politics today that trying to offer any alternative---including this note--qualifies as a labor of love.

Regarding HRC, I am linking a good brief article detailing her Methodist social
gospel views that I might use as the basis for a future column.  Brent

http://www.religionnews.com/2015/04/10/5-faith-facts-hillary-clinton-social-gospel-methodist-core/

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