Fiscal Responsibility, Social Tolerance

Fiscal responsibility is a founding principle and should be a guiding principle today. Fiscal responsibility is social responsibility because good fiscal policy benefits the overall society. Fiscal responsibility is not conservatism because fiscal responsibility does not have an ideological basis. Fiscal responsibility means the pursuit of policies based on their net benefits, not on some predetermined view. The greatest challenge is establishing good policy in light of economic uncertainty. Responsibility requires transparency, collaborative goals, dynamic analysis, and objective performance assessment.

Social tolerance is a founding principle and should be a guiding principle today. Early Americans fled religious persecution for a place where they could practice freely. Native Americans fought to maintain their way of life in a changing world. Later Americans fled famine and poverty for a place where they could pursue their dreams. America should continue to be the ideal place to pursue those dreams. Intolerance for the beliefs, practices, and cultures of others is inconsistent with American ideals. Tolerance does not mean adoption or endorsement but acceptance and peaceful coexistence.