# DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES

We hold these truths to be self-evident:

That public office was created to serve the people—not the careers of
those who occupy it.

That elected officials are representatives—not overlords.

That government exists by the consent of the governed.

That campaign promises are obligations, not seasonal decorations.

That accountability is the price of public trust.

And that somewhere along the way...

**Washington forgot.**

That in Washington, public service has been transformed into an
enterprise of personal enrichment.

A workplace where promises expire immediately after Election Day.

A customer-service business where the customers are treated like a
nuisance.

That campaign promises are made in high definition.

Broken in standard definition.

That Washington has turned governing into professional wrestling—with
flag pins instead of championship belts.

The shouting is real enough for television.

The outcomes are carefully choreographed.

That when Election Season arrives...

Hope and fear are produced on demand.

Whichever polls better gets the bigger advertising budget.

That lobbyists don't influence Washington.

They use the employee entrance.

That the revolving door between Washington and K Street spins so fast it
probably qualifies as a renewable energy source.

That while some people still believe Congress answers to the people...

The lobbyists appreciate their optimism.

That politicians insist they can't be bought.

Which is true.

Because renting them every election cycle appears to work just fine.

That Washington doesn't solve problems.

It manages subscriptions to them.

That career politicians spend decades helping create problems...

...then campaign as the only people qualified to solve them.

That Washington has also solved one remarkable mystery.

No matter who wins...

The lobbyists never seem to lose.

Remarkable.

That Congress has mastered bipartisan cooperation.

Not when balancing the budget.

Not when reducing the national debt.

Not when simplifying government.

Not when restoring public trust.

But when protecting its "patrons."

And that's not the voters.

That so far, the swamp has survived every promise to drain it.

In fact, the swamp creatures appear to have granted themselves protected
status and designated their habitat as federally protected wetlands.

Apparently, the permit was approved unanimously.

That Congress and the federal establishment in general consistently rank
among the least trusted institutions in America.

Yet election after election...

Washington somehow manages to renew its own employment.

If this were any other profession...

There would already be cardboard boxes in the parking lot.

We reject the belief that this is simply how politics works.

But eventually, even Washington gets a performance review.

**And this one is called VOTE'M OUT™.**

Every promise leaves a record.

Every betrayal deserves an answer.

**Words had their turn.**

**Now send the receipt.**

**Send. The. Signal.**