TEST of About Us

TEST of About Us


A United Front

This moment demands American leaders and citizens alike declare their freedom from the anger and divisiveness that are ruining our politics and most importantly, our country.

We must recommit to the fundamental beliefs that have historically united Americans and provided a common understanding of who we are and where we hope to go.

Here are the enduring beliefs that guide No Labels– beliefs that we hope will once again guide the political and policy choices of our leaders.

Where Are You Welcome?

  1. Feeling politically homeless?
  2. Tired of the extremes on the left and the right?
  3. Looking for common sense solutions for all of American solutions?

Too many Americans feel politically homeless today. Independent thinkers—citizens who skew to the left on some issues and hew to the right on others—rarely feel comfortable as members of either of our two major parties. After all, until not so long ago, both the Democratic and Republican parties tried to maintain “big tents.” But that’s since changed—and to remarkable effect.

Consider the impact on America’s ability to solve big problems. During the decades when the two major parties each welcomed a broad diversity of views, legislators in both parties were able to find kindred spirits in the other. Elected officials opposed to one another on some issues might be able to work collaboratively on others. When push came to shove—when the nation faced a big challenge—our leaders could unify.

Now, that is gone. Legislators in both parties have become more extreme. Leaders are more inclined to marginalize independent thinkers than reach out to them. And that’s curtailed the inclination members of both parties had to work across the aisle. And worsening political tribalism isn’t limited to legislative chambers and town meetings. It’s is breaking up families and friendships. And that, at root, is why our politics doesn’t work anymore.

It’s not that we all used to agree on everything—American politics has always been rough and tumble. But the values that united our country were generally stronger than the disagreements that divided the nation’s citizens. That spirit of comity has since been replaced by a vicious cycle. As elected officials listen to the extremes, the rest of us are inclined to tune out. When we do, elected officials pay even more attention to the extremes. And around it goes, leaving many now with the impression that the two parties and their core supporters are living on different planets.

Speaking Truth to Partisanship

  1. Fighting the extremes since 2002
  2. No Labels created the House Problem Solvers Caucus
  3. Creating an “insurance plan” that would allow a Unity ticket to run in 2024 if the two parties select unreasonably divisive presidential nominees

Speaking Truth to Partisanship

Since 2009, when the Tea Party arrived, No Labels has been focused exclusively on reversing that vicious cycle. We aren’t a third partybut we are creating a powerful force capable of countering the influence of the extremes on both sides. From the start, we’ve known that thisisn’t the sort of challenge that lends itself to simple solutions. Reorienting our politics and reclaiming our bipartisan tradition requires sustained effort on a number of different fronts. And while our mission is far from complete, we’ve by now developed a track record of success.

No Labels created the House Problem Solvers Caucus, the group responsible in large part for rescuing a thought-to-be-dead COVID relief package back in the last weeks of the Trump administration, and then for ensuring that the bipartisan infrastructure framework was not held hostage by House leadership in 2021. And we’ve made similar inroads in the Senate where we’re working with a number of allies—Joe Manchin (D-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA), among others—to build a bicameral bridge between Democrats and Republicans.

Now, our efforts are extending on several additional fronts. As described in David Brooks’ recent New York Times column, we’re creating an “insurance plan” that would allow a Unity ticket to run in 2024 if the two parties select unreasonably divisive presidential nominees. We’re crafting a compelling Unity policy agenda that we know the majority of Americans can rally around. And we’re investing in the creation of a massive “voter file” of citizens who will support leaders courageous enough to speak truth to partisanship.

How We’re Different

  1. Feeling politically homeless?
  2. Tired of the extremes on the left and the right?
  3. Looking for common sense solutions for all of American solutions?

How We’re DifferentIn the end, three things distinguish the No Labels movement from the rest of the pack. First, we’re intellectually open—we want to hear peoples’ ideas, particularly from those who feel iced out from the loudest and angriest voices in the Democratic and Republican parties. Second, we’re about solutions. We believe that the most effective answersto the nation’s big challenges—national security, economic growth, energy security, crime, education and more—will be born from bipartisanship.

Finally, we’re spry and indefatigable. We may not have the institutional grounding that keeps the parties plodding along—but we’re deeply connected to the growing swath of Americans who don’t fit comfortably under either narrow tent. We believe America already boasts everything it needs to thrive. But to harness all that potential—to make the most of our shared future—our leaders will need to cultivate the nation’s desire for bipartisan unity. No Labels will not stop until we get there, together.

Our Beliefs

01
We believe in an ethic of mutual responsibility

in which both government and citizens owe something to one another. Citizens have a responsibility to contribute to our country in the best way they can, be it to our economy, their families, communities or civic life. And in return, they have a right to expect the government to be responsible for upholding the law, maintaining public safety, helping care for those who cannot care for themselves, and tackling the problems too large for citizens or private actors to solve alone.

02
We believe in equality of opportunity

in which every American is empowered to get a good education, to pursue their dreams free from bias or discrimination of any kind, and to go as far as their talents and drive can take them– we we also believe that government policy should encourage and cultivate these gifts.

03
We believe in Americans’ fundamental right to think, speak, worship and assemble however they choose.

We believe the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is first for a reason, because if we ever lose this right, we lose everything.

04
We believe there is no such thing as something for nothing and because of this we believe in the importance of a balanced budget.

The growing tendency of both parties to support more tax cuts or government spending with no regard for their impact on future generations will lead to a lower quality of life for our children and grandchildren and make it harder for America to tackle future challenges to our national, economic and environmental security.

05
We believe Americans being united at home makes us stronger abroad.

The Chinese Communist Party, Russia and other totalitarian regimes that threaten American interests benefit from and seek to exploit America’s internal divisions. In previous eras, America’s leaders have embraced the idea that “politics should stop at the water’s edge,” and they must do so once again.

06
We support, and are grateful for, the U.S. military.

At No Labels, we are unendingly thankful for our men and women in uniform who wake up every day to keep the world safe. The American people agree.

These beliefs are the foundation upon which we must rebuild our country. We seek to restore America's faith that democracy remains the best means to bring out the good in every one of us, thus ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.

Had enough of the angriest voices dominating our politics?

Join a movement where every voice counts.

Become A Member

JOIN US

Help by Donating

DONATE