The Independent Center is founded on the core beliefs of enhancing individual freedom and personal choice. We trust the people of our country to decide what is right and good and important. We believe that people flourish when our system of government allows them to choose what is best for themselves, their families, and their communities. And we know that our nation will succeed and thrive when we work together to achieve economic growth, fiscal responsibility, and social tolerance so we can enjoy a happy, safe and prosperous future.  

We need leaders who understand that common sense and collaboration are more important than polarization and partisanship. We are able to put aside our differences and work together in our daily lives, with our friends and our families, in our jobs and in our communities. Yet the politicians who run the two parties are unwilling or unable to come together and find consensus on common sense solutions to the challenges we face.  

This will require elected officials who know that budgets must be responsible, transparent, and accountable, who recognize that hard choices and tradeoffs need to be made, and who understand that you are best positioned to make decisions that affect your lives.  

Like our country’s founders, we believe that these foundational truths will guide our future success and prosperity.

• that our leaders must work together on a common sense agenda based on economic growth, fiscal responsibility, and social tolerance.

• that government can play a role in protecting the most vulnerable among us but it cannot solve all our problems.  

• that individual creativity and innovation are the drivers of economic growth in our country. We embrace new technologies and innovations to advance our economy and improve our living standards. We can ensure that future generations inherit a more abundant, stronger and more secure nation.  

• that trust in our institutions is at risk when only Democrat and Republican voices are included, missing the plurality of voters who are now independent. When all of us participate in the political process, we can make our country stronger and better for everyone.  

• that civic responsibility, individual rights and human dignity are the building blocks of a resilient, successful and healthy nation. That means that every voter should have a fair chance to be heard. That means fixing a system that lets powerful groups and politicians make the rules for themselves.  

We know that participation in our political life depends on free, fair and open elections.  We must repair a broken political system to make sure our voices are heard and not drowned out by special interests and career politicians. So we will fight for reforms to ensure all eligible voters are able to participate without the barriers erected by the two parties who have corrupted and manipulated our elections for their own purposes.  

It’s up to us to pick the leaders who are responsible with our resources, transparent about their dealings, and listen to the people they serve. Good leaders know that people should have the power to make their own decisions. And informed and engaged citizens have the power to hold them accountable.  

Our political process is broken, by design. The political parties work every day to divide us into two armed camps, two factions and two Americas. Because they know that when we are divided, they can stay in control.  

But we are better than that. We can work together to move past the bickering and the finger-pointing. We can put our country on track for a bright and prosperous future. We can do better – if we work together.