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Official Statement from the Arizona Chapter of Mormon Women for Ethical Government on the ACC Energy Rules Vote
We believe the land and the air around us are a gift, and we are responsible for their care. Individual efforts to “safeguard the earth and her resources for our children and generations that follow” are important but insufficient on their own. Reasonable, well-written policies can help to ensure sustainability. Last Wednesday, January 26, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), by a vote of 3-2, rejected the Energy Rules package that would have required the state’s regulated electric utilities to reduce their carbon emissions to combat climate change. The Energy Rules were drafted over a period of several years and drew upon judgment from industry experts, public utility companies, and Arizona…
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Official Statement on the January 6 Anniversary
One year ago, on January 6, 2021, America watched in horror as a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to disrupt Congress and claim the presidency by unlawful means. While the insurrectionists did not succeed in their aim, they nonetheless stole something as important as an election — our national confidence in the peaceful transfer of power, and our faith in our fellow citizens. This year we have lived with a fractured and fragile peace. Before January 6, our electoral processes were a hopeful manifestation of positive peace — constructive and generative engagement with the opposition. As a nation, we had attitudes, systems, and institutions that promoted…
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Official Statement From MWEG on a Faith-Based Defense of the Freedom to Vote
As faith-inspired activists and advocates for ethical governance, we are deeply motivated by our belief that every individual is an infinitely valuable child of God. Our love of democratic governance is a natural outgrowth of this, as is our passionate desire to protect it. The freedom to vote is a clear political manifestation of the individual worth of souls. Ensuring that right for all citizens is an expression of the second great commandment within our political systems — to love our neighbors as ourselves. We cannot claim to truly love our neighbors if we also deny their constitutional right to participate equally in the formation of our shared government. We…
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Official Statement from Mormon Women for Ethical Government on Our Ongoing Obligation to Afghan Allies
America’s longest war officially came to its conclusion on August 31, 2021. In the weeks leading up to our departure from Afghanistan, the U.S. and its allies staged a significant effort to remove our citizens and friends, including Afghan nationals who had either assisted our armed forces or were actively building a peaceful state grounded in human rights and modeled on the principles of liberal democracy. Having embraced this cause, their lives are now at grave risk. At Mormon Women for Ethical Government, we believe that ending the war in Afghanistan must not end our commitment to our Afghan allies. Our responsibility to these brave individuals is just beginning, and…
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Official Statement from Mormon Women for Ethical Government on the January 6 Commission
On January 6, 2021, violent insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol with the stated intent to subvert the democratically manifested will of the American people and stop the peaceful transition of power. These unprecedented events caused irreparable harm. Amid the throng of insurrectionists, several individuals lost their lives and hundreds were injured. The slow law enforcement and military response exposed national security risks, fractured citizens’ trust, and, ultimately, weakened our nation. Yesterday, the U.S. Capitol was the site of a quieter and, perhaps, more lasting assault. Rejecting good faith efforts on the part of Democratic leadership to construct a bipartisan investigative commission, the GOP leadership and 35 senators effectually sided with…
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Official Statement from Mormon Women for Ethical Government on the Vote to Acquit the Former President
Today, 43 U.S. senators chose to acquit the former president from any responsibility for the assault on the U.S. Capitol and on members of Congress. This violence on January 6, 2021, marked the culmination of a months-long attack on our system of elections by former President Donald J. Trump. His behavior was highly undemocratic and unethical. Unfortunately, he was joined by others who, through falsehoods, also attacked the integrity of our elections. Today, many who voted to acquit the former president did so in order to acquit themselves. For many months and years they had aligned themselves with his anti-democratic behavior. In the end, they were no longer able to…
