Compassion is the common element found in all the major world religions. Yet Karl Marx was also right when he said "religion is the opiate of the people" because religious organizations are usually not equally committed to eradicating the ubiquitous economic suffering, social injustice, and political oppression in the world. New-Age religions often focus too much on self development, and traditional religions can focus too much on how to be "saved" in the hereafter.
Personal expressions of love and humanitarianism from both religious and non-religious people will always be needed and appreciated. But until we can have a government that encourages citizens to rely on independent media sources in the formation of their world-views (instead of a mainstream media)--not much will ever change. Equally empowering the seven largest national political parties--while using a system of proportional representation to elect a unicameral national legislature--would broaden the political spectrum. Allowing neighborhood control of public schools would promote local self-determination.
In the United States, even if Bernie Sanders gets elected in 2016 or 2020, he will need to have a more enlightened foreign policy to make our country an ethical model for democratic socialism. Here are sixteen recommended cabinet members to advise Bernie on domestic and foreign issues:
1
