The ideology for the Goodness Party is goodness in government, always. To establish governments of goodness for the people, by the people, and of the people, we as citizens need to act with goodness toward ourselves and toward others. As Benjamin Franklin wrote, “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.“
We are all capable of goodness. We can all increase our acts of goodness and do more goodness every day. Sometimes we need examples of goodness to encourage us, inspire us, empower us, and uplift us.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who passed away on September 18, 2020, provides us with examples of goodness performed for the American people.
She is known for being a leading force in securing rights for women that we now take for granted. As examples, the ability for women to open their own checking account, get a credit card, start a business, and obtain a business loan, all without a male co-signer. She also rectified injustices where gender-based distinctions harmed men and families as well as women. She wrote key opinions on civil rights and on freedom of speech and religion. She was a public servant for 40 years as a judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
During a talk at Fordham Law School in 2016, Ginsburg told the audience, “What is law for? It is to serve a society of people, all people, not just wealthy people.”
Ginsburg hung text from Deuteronomy 16:20 in her Supreme Court chamber. “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof — justice, justice you shall pursue.” It was justice for all Americans she pursued, and she worked for it throughout her life.
We hope the life exemplified by Ruth Bader Ginsburg can inspire our nation toward goodness and a better and brighter America. For only goodness leads to greatness.