The Commons - Rules of Engagement
The Commons exists for every American citizen - and those who want to be aligned with our free society - to work together in a civil manner to develop solutions to America’s problems.
In the process, we meet and interact with others who care about America. We rarely agree 100% with anyone - but we commit to be nice as we develop solutions for the common good.
We come together to more deeply comprehend facts and history - truth - about issues and solutions. Opinions are important, but facts are the foundation for us to develop enduring solutions - as wise, discerning, responsible citizens and voters.
These Rules of Engagement are for Members - the only ones who can post their thoughts in Discussion areas and participate in certain volunteer meetings online, with in-person gatherings possibly in 2027.
These are the expectations that guide our community. We require ourselves to live by them, and extend that same standard to all Members.
Be nice. We cannot control how someone else behaves, but we are 100% responsible for our behavior. Think before writing. Work through drafts if necessary to meet or exceed the standards you have set for others. Then post.
If someone is rude, cussing, name-calling, harassing, or threatening - simply do not respond. Take a screenshot and report the situation to us. We will investigate. Members who cannot behave will no longer be members.
OK not to agree. Don’t be surprised or offended when people politely disagree with you - or when their tone is reasonable but they use words different from yours. Expect it. Accept that people may not be ready to change some of their conclusions - yet.
We encourage respectful disagreement and shared suggestions for how to research, define, and improve our solutions. No one knows everything. No one is always totally right. Respect the rights of others to have their opinions and conclusions, just as you want your thoughts sincerely considered - live the Golden Rule.
Respect our process. We purposefully move at a steady pace to confirm what’s best for the common good, not the pace of outrage. Not too fast. Not too slow - “Goldilocks speed.”
This is because (a) Relationships are most important; (b) The best decisions take time. New facts come to light that help clarify what’s best for the common good - in community, before we formally propose a solution, and after we post content.
Remember how we roll: Find the best way. Do the right thing. Everyone matters.
Use our 4Q Scrolls (link) questioning process to understand - not to convert.
No self-promotion. Do not self-promote or spam. Do not offer anything for sale - directly or indirectly.
Share facts. We encourage you to mention and post links - even your own or those of your organization - that are credible facts, history, studies - even with your opinion. We reserve the right to remove any post that seems to be purposefully misrepresenting the facts, or add a warning to it stating our concern.
Be succinct. Work with AI if you want to confirm the tone and content of your post, but prompt your AI to confirm your approach is clear, direct, and respectful.
Issue specific. Post in the discussion space of the issue’s claim, sub-claim, or post (e.g., Commoners Corner, Paul Revere updates) related to your comment, suggested fact link(s), and/or opinion you would like considered.
Add value. Sincerely thank people when you agree - and when you disagree - but unless you really feel your wording is more succinct - try not to repeat what they’ve said in your post. Provide links to facts that reinforce your thoughts.
Real profile. Have a real profile as a Member. You don’t have to reveal personal details, but do introduce yourself to others and ideally include a recent photo. We are brothers and sisters in the ongoing competition to maintain our liberty.
No gamification. We purposely do not have a leaderboard or gamify participation. This movement is about all Americans. We win as a team, not as individuals competing with one another for recognition. Let’s humbly work together for the common good.
We also encourage Members to embrace Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 Birmingham Civil Rights Movement Pledge as a standard for our behavior. (link)
The Simple Liberty road will be fun, engaging, and meaningful. But we will be attacked by detractors - the wealthy and political Elites, and other corrupt power seekers bent on forcefully taking away our freedoms.
Dr. King and his movement taught us how to respond peacefully in love - courageously, wisely, and effectively. Self-defense is always an acceptable response to physical threats. For everything else, we defer to professional law enforcement and the military - the institutions established to maintain order and protect citizens.
Moderation of The Commons
We moderate Member discussions based on behavior - not opinions. If something crosses the line, we may:
Remove a post and warn the Member.
Issue a final warning to a Member for violating these Rules of Engagement.
Suspend a Member’s access for a period of time.
Remove a Member from The Commons indefinitely for recurring or blatant violation of these Rules of Engagement.
Questions? Send them to: info@simpleliberty.com
Make a difference. Why? Because you can.
Think for yourself - but join us to revive American values, virtues, safety, peace, and prosperity.We can do this.