GrowUp.org

GrowUp.org will address the key, high level issues we face as a nation.  Toward that end, we have classified and listed them below.  We have decided to group them into what should be a familiar structure: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  You know, from the Declaration of Independence.  There is clearly some overlap, but we thought it was a good way to relate the issues that affect us all to our founding. 

We address each issue with a consistent format: the question (or crux of the issue), the considerations (the hopefully full range of thinking about the issue), thoughts/arguments (the best from the left and right), and finally the bottom line.  

So now we need your input!  We are looking for the full range of thinking and the best of both sides, so please submit your thoughts on any aspect of any issue to us at issues@growup.org.  Please note in your email the issue you are addressing, if you are coming from the left or the right, and if you want us to attribute your comments to you if they are published. 

We would love your feedback and promise to provide the best information and arguments from both sides.  So please give us your best case and join the debate!   

Life

Without life, there isn't much concern about liberty or happiness.  Several huge issues fall under this umbrella, including:

• Abortion - ending new "life"
• Euthanasia - ending "poor" life
• Death Penalty - ending "bad" life
• Cloning - creating new "life"

Liberty

We all want freedom (especially when we succeed, though not so much sometimes when we fail).  Many aspects of liberty collide and are disputed today, including the freedom of:

• Religion - where does "freedom of" end and "freedom from" begin
• Speech - when does your speech offend my ears and who gets to decide
• Press - how detached should they be 
• Association - when can we assemble and who can we choose as our associates
• Property - when can government take it
• Privacy - when can government violate it
• Justice - how does government ensure it
• Education - when can we choose our schools 
• Employment - who owes you a job and under what terms 
• Self Defense - when and how can you defend yourself

(Pursuit of) Happiness

Our founders created the first society where the pursuit of happiness was even a consideration.  Unfortunately, many seem to think that this means government can (and actually has an obligation to) make them happy.  Toward that end, many people (even animals nowadays, through their spokespeople) claim special rights, rights based on their:

• Race (Creed/Color) - when can we move past the ultimate in superficial categorizations   
• Age - when and why does your age matter    
• Sex - is there a glass ceiling
• Sexual Orientation - why shouldn't everyone be allowed to marry  
• Wealth - why shouldn't poor people have a claim to wealth
• Citizenship - why shouldn't non-citizens be citizens 
• Health - when is a disability not a liability 
• Species - when do animal rights trump human rights 

And if we have missed some issues entirely, or have failed to do any of them justice, please let us know at issues@growup.org.