Here’s what we believe in ….

Last-resort defense
Armed conflict is physically, emotionally, psychologically and economically devastating to those who must endure it and those who commit it. We must not pursue armed conflict unless there is imminent, irrefutable peril to American citizens, and unless all other reasonable options have been exhausted.

The Bill of Rights
Government should not infringe on our precious Constitutional freedoms except as a last resort, when national security or others' rights are undeniably imperiled. These include freedom of speech, press, religion and the right to a fair trial, a speedy trial and equal treatment. We oppose cruel punishment and torture, as did our nation's founders. Government must respect its citizens' privacy-our homes, bodies, families, bedrooms, medical histories and private information-and government must not mandate who we should marry or what our bodies must carry.

Opportunity
All citizens are entitled to a quality public education. All workers are entitled to a living wage. All children are entitled to eat.

Tolerance
Our republic was engineered to prevent a tyranny of the majority. This intentionally secular nation, filled with people of faith, cannot impose a particular sect's moral principles on the masses.

Efficiency
In addition to creating and upholding just laws, government exists to build and maintain public infrastructure. These activities should be performed as efficiently as possible given current technologies and resources.

Fiscal responsibility
No heavy borrowing. Don't default. Don't duplicate services better provided by private business or non-profits. We must pay for services we commit to for the common good. We must not allow other countries to finance our choices.

Accountability
Don't pass the buck, including to future generations. Elected officials are proxies of the masses, and their actions must be subject to public scrutiny.

Eliminating payola
Those who contribute to political campaigns should have no preferential treatment when it comes to writing laws, enforcing laws, and receiving government contracts.

Preservation
Government must establish and fairly enforce reasonable limits on personal and corporate activities that harm natural environments and ecosystems needed for our survival and quality of life.

Compassion
No citizen should ever be starving, homeless, in extreme poverty or without adequate medical care, except by their own choosing. Families, non-profits, communities and churches are best suited to caring for their own. When all else fails, however, government must come to the aid of the destitute.

Endorsements
TC Common Sense is generally supporting the Democratic Party. We are developing measures by which to support or oppose candidates and elected officials, regardless of party affiliation. To be considered for endorsement, please contact us.