the 12 tenets of our party
TENET #1
PROTECT AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
The threat to American democracy is more dire than in decades. It is being undermined from both within and outside of the United States. The 2024 election season is indeed a referendum on democracy as opposed to autocracy or dictatorship. The danger is clear and present. Among many priorities, protecting democracy is job number one for our party and our nation.
TENET #2
ensuring the American Dream with stronger jobs, safer homes, sound education & affordable healthcare
Equal in importance to protecting American democracy, independents and reasonable disenfranchised Democrats and Republicans must demand stronger jobs, safer homes, sound education, and affordable healthcare so that the American dream can be preserved.
TENET #3
a more De-regulated society
Our society today is too over-regulated. The ability to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is far too compromised by mundane, ineffective rules and regulations that hamper innovation, creativity, and our daily lives.
TENET #4
a fair flat tax & balanced federal budget
It has been decades since the federal budget has been balanced. It has also been far too long since Congress could even pass its annual agency appropriations. Extreme deficit spending and an inequitable progressive tax that burdens the middle class must be replaced with an inclusive, fair, flat tax to have an even more productive economy.
TENET #5
comprehensive immigration reform
America’s borders are not secure, especially along the Mexico-US line. Illegal immigration has been at a crisis level in Democratic and Republican administrations alike. Immigration has always been important to our nation, but it must be secure and legal if it is to work for anyone who wants a safe haven in the United States of America.
TENET #6
climate change is real
There is no denying that our climate is changing and not for the good. American energy resources have been shackled far too long. We need new energy sources in this country, and we need to improve the resources we have with better innovation and application. Efforts to combat climate change must work for everyone, not a select few.
TENET #7
a sound & consistent foreign policy
American foreign policy has been haphazard and inconsistent over the past few decades. Few in America and overseas understand or appreciate who we are and why we do what we do when it comes to conducting our affairs abroad. However, foreign aid, by the same token, should be assessed on a case-by-case basis, balancing our funding needs at home for crucial programs such as addressing homelessness and treating mental illness. A sound and consistent foreign policy is essential to our leadership standing worldwide.
TENET #8
a stronger defense & smarter intelligence
A strong defense anchored by intelligence that is indeed smarter is the key to stability and safety in the United States. A strong defense and smarter intelligence go hand-in-hand. Investment in both is critical to our future, given the threats we face from a surging China, a raging Russia, an unstable North Korea, a mad Iran, and others.
TENET #9
pioneering manufacturing, innovation & exploration
Somewhere in the mix we have lost our pioneering edge. In manufacturing, in innovation, and in space and undersea exploration. We must get it back by investing more in our future and the technology that will empower us through the 21st century. In doing so, we can replace our crumbling infrastructure with stable roads, bridges, ports, airports, spaceports, and more.
TENET #10
Undivided Justice
Justice is rolling along too slowly for many Americans who see justice delayed as justice denied. Judicial ethics have been compromised where compromise is unacceptable. Those who would perpetuate criminal activity on us would call it persecution. We would call it timely and fair prosecution. The rule of law in America must be sancrosanct.
TENET #11
states’ rights & ethical government
Federal government has a proper role in America but it must be managed and contained from over-expansion. States’ rights is enshrined in our American Constitution and must be nurtured as our nation marches forward into the 21st century. Balance and perspective must be our guideposts.
TENET #12
public-private-philanthropic partnerships
Let’s face it. Government and the private sector alone can no longer pay for many of the projects we need to fund that are of substantial benefit to our citizens. Properly structure philanthropy can and should help bringing into play all of the potential funding sources available at our fingertips to do better. We need more public-private-philanthropic partnerships working for America.
“I tolerate with the utmost latitude the right of others to differ from me in opinion without imputing to them criminality. Both of our political parties, at least the honest portion of them, agree conscientiously in the same object—the public good; but they differ essentially in what they deem the means of promoting that good. ”
- THOMAS JEFFERSON, 1804