Principles

We encourage civil dialogue in good faith among individuals of varying perspectives, and do not support or endorse specific political candidates or parties.  We encourage others to study issues for themselves and to engage in responsible civic activity according to their beliefs and conscience.

Corruption, unethical conduct, and conflicts of interest by public figures and organizations, especially those in positions of authority and power, should be exposed and held accountable.

 Freedom of speech, including the right to dissent and critique, is a universal and inalienable right. Suppression of inconvenient data, censorship of unfavored non-violent viewpoints, and harassment, intimidation, and retaliation against dissenters represent violations of human rights.

All individuals have the inalienable right to believe according to their conscience, to adopt or change religion without compulsion or prohibition, to share peaceful beliefs with others without harassment or intimidation, and to worship according to their conscience.

All people have a right to equal and fair treatment regardless of race, gender identity or sexual orientation, ethnic identity, national origin, religious affiliation or non-affiliation, or (non-violent) political viewpoints. Bigotry and discrimination of all kinds must be rejected and renounced by governments, groups, and individuals.

“Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives” and “the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.” (Universal Declaration of Human Rights) 

Free and fair elections are the foundation of the democratic process.  Voter access must be facilitated while safeguards against fraud must be upheld to ensure election integrity and legitimacy.

Voters have a right to free access to uncensored information, including both data and opinion, and to evaluate the merits of claims for themselves freely and without censorship or restrictive barriers.

Students have a right to free primary and secondary public education and accessible higher education promoting critical thinking to challenge assumptions and biases, encouraging open dialogue and respect for other viewpoints. Curricula should be based on non-partisan formulations of verifiable factual information and free from uncritical presentation of partisan ideologies or efforts at partisan indoctrination.