You and I deserve straightforward answers from leaders when they discuss the challenges facing our country—especially in the upcoming U.S. debates. There's too much on the line for us to receive anything less.

How do we get this? We put rules in place that match our expectations. We need an even playing field and an honest exchange of ideas when politicians square off for the highest offices in the land.

This petition is for the Commission on Presidential Debates to adopt a "3 Strikes & You're Out" ground rule in the 2020 U.S. Presidential and Vice Presidential debates. Lie three times during the debate, and you are disqualified to participate in the rest of that event.

The candidates will be fact-checked in real time. The moderator(s) will issue a warning each time an untruth is told. A candidate will be excused from the stage following the third incursion. Since untruths come in several shades, use the scoring set by PolitiFact's Truth-O-Meter. Apply strikes only to those statements judged to be "False" or "Pants on Fire". Candidates will get a reset each debate, starting the next one with zero strikes.

We deserve leaders who respect us enough to be honest. Let's demand it!