Make the commitment. Keep it locally.

As members of Common Ground, we make these commitments to one another and to our country:

1. 1

   Constitution before personality.

   We will defend lawful elections, checks and balances, civil liberties, due process, and the peaceful transfer of power, whether or not the outcome favors us and whoever holds office.

2. 2

   Country before party.

   We will refuse to treat fellow citizens as enemies, reject the claim that love of country belongs to any one faction, and judge every public actor by the same standard.

3. 3

   Truth before propaganda.

   We will weigh evidence over rumor, correct our own mistakes plainly, admit what we do not know, and expect the same honesty from leaders, organizations, and media.

4. 4

   Community before contempt.

   We will show up for our neighbors, our local institutions, and the people who disagree with us, and state their strongest case before arguing our own.

5. 5

   The common good before special interests.

   We will work for conditions that let ordinary people and communities live securely, participate meaningfully, and prosper, and keep that purpose above any narrower advantage.

We make this pledge freely. Self-government is work we share.