01
Popular Sovereignty
Legitimate political authority ultimately originates with the people.
Article I
The 12 Principles
The Charter's foundational civic principles define the relationship among the people, constitutional institutions, public officials, liberty, accountability, and future generations.
02
Equal Citizenship
Every citizen possesses equal civic dignity. Political disagreement does not diminish citizenship.
03
Constitutional Supremacy
No public official, institution, party, movement, corporation, or citizen stands above the Constitution.
04
Distributed Constitutional Power
Legislative, executive, and judicial powers are divided so that no branch becomes the government itself.
05
Unitary but Limited Executive Authority
The President leads the executive branch, while Congress, the judiciary, the states, elections, and constitutional rights remain independent limits.
06
Temporary Public Stewardship
Public office is a temporary public trust—not personal ownership, dominion, or sovereignty.
07
Authority Requires Accountability
The greater the authority entrusted to an officeholder or institution, the greater the obligation to accept responsibility for its use.
08
Protected Liberty and Rule of Law
Citizens and officials alike remain subject to lawful constitutional authority, and rights apply even when their exercise is unpopular.
09
Checks, Balances, and Institutional Independence
Independent institutions and constitutional checks are safeguards against concentrated power.
10
Electoral and Civic Accountability
Citizenship does not begin and end at the ballot box; self-government requires engagement before, during, and after elections.
11
Constitution Before Party
Political parties organize competition, but they do not possess constitutional sovereignty.
12
Posterity
Each generation holds the Republic in trust and must preserve constitutional institutions for those who follow.
The constitutional equation
Strong institutions, limited authority, engaged citizens.
Strong Executive + Strong Congress + Independent Judiciary + Protected Rights + Constitutional Limits + Institutional Independence + Engaged Citizens
= Constitutional Government
Not: “Strong Leader = Government.”