The Good Decision Project Administrator’s Note

The Next Democracy Project is designed to create 21st century language to extend the 18th century commitment to describe a form of government called Democracy. In this first quarter of the 21st century, the Democracy called the United States is stalled in conflict and division. The experiment of democracy at this time teeters on collapse. Is there language “We the People” could agree to? This Project believes “Yes”! Below is a draft of an updated preamble and seven values a large majority of Americans could, with needed adaptations, agree to and hold to as a vow or commitment. The text is short but opens a contemporary conversation about politics in the world we now live in. Please read and comment. I request two things: ‘pre-vote’ for or against this language, and if on the fence, submit comments. Secondly, The Next Democracy is a focus for people wanting something concrete to believe in would be helpful and you believe this is a good idea please take a minute and forward this website address to a friend or friends. Consider it pre-vote vote.

The Next Democracy’s Citizen Commitment

 Seven Values of the New Democracy

A democracy is a government devised to articulate and elevate to public law the collective authority of the people into an evolving form of law and order that justly serves the inevitable plurality of the people. Democracy is a practice, a skill, and a set of core virtues that work together to form a government devoted to the public service to and for all citizens. The responsibility of every citizen in the democracy is to develop their knowledge, skill, and morality to contribute to the overall good of the society. The virtues of democracy exist to accommodate the individual, personal, and religious requirements of the citizen. The commitment is to allow every individual to freely practice their religion and beliefs to the extent their practice does not violate the democratic rights of fellow citizens.

I, as a citizen of our democracy vow to support these values:

1. Speaking Truth with integrity to fact;
2. Building Toward the ‘Shared Unified Public Reality ’;
3. Freedom of Expression,
4. Respect and Reverence for all life and the living,
5. Primacy of priorities for the future generations and the Earth’s care,
6. Exercising the right to vote as the first element of citizen entitlement, responsibility, power, and expression; and 
7. The inviolable dignity of individual lives.

Please forward any email comments to Robert Jahner at robertjahner@thegooddecision.org