We the people, on this 17th day of January 2019, create and convey a civil censure of the elected officials of United States government.  
 
This censure is a reflection of belief by the body citizenship that our governing systems have failed in their original purpose. We have moved beyond productive struggle into a state of being that more deeply concerns the fundamental credibility, believability and effectiveness of our institutions. This is true domestically and abroad. Such dysfunction is not a threat to the dominance of any one political party or their ideologies – as it may superficially seam – but instead a threat to the premise and promise of democracy as the prevailing method of peaceful union in the 21st century.

We the people precede the bodies of federal government. Our labor, wages and votes generate government. In return, we expect judicious governing, namely through:

1. Intelligent oversight of government spending and public resources
2. Balanced prosperity through apolitical economic policy
3. Security and protection through a military that seeks to reduce conflict & increase peace
4. The creation, enforcement and interpretation of laws meant to manifest and enhance our democratic values fairly for all citizens, created equally
5. Listening systems that allow our elected officials to hear, adapt and change to reflect the values of the people
6. A humble position of leadership among all nations, communities and people expressed through our founding principles – namely freedom, equality and justice

Government leadership has failed in these accountabilities. Extreme polarization, tribalism, comprised values and a lack of integrity have taken hold.  

Let us remind you: the founding of this country was clear on the method of reconciliation regarding our differences, regardless of how self-interested or extreme: the middle way. As far back as Aristotle, the middle way expresses a culture of governing where:

1. People and the ideas they support are distinct; there is no room for personal attack
2. Ideologic passion is focused on debate and discourse; not on outcomes
3. Outcomes are a compromise; compromise is the win-win political ideal

Real power is only power when the systems that run it are mutually beneficial to the between the governing and the governed.  Leaders take note; in our media-first and digital-first era, the world is watching. 

Please internalize the deeper reality of what continued tribalism and polarization will lead to; the history books on clear on the matter.  We censure of our own free will, separate from any similar measures government may undertake to censure or better regular itself.  
 
Signed by the Will of the People, as reflected by the following names.