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AMERICANS FOR DECENCY IN GOVERNMENT
A Nonpartisan Nonprofit

Americas for Decency in Government

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Why Decency Matters

Decency is not about being “nice.” It is about ensuring that the machinery of government runs efficiently for everyone.

Decency Helps The Fiscally Conservative
 

  • Waste reduction: Ethical leadership prevents cronyism and misuse of taxpayer funds.
     

  • Market stability: Predictable, decent governance lowers policy risk and borrowing costs.
     

  • ​Incivility and brinkmanship are expensive. Government shutdowns and legislative standoffs raise borrowing costs and cause unrecoverable GDP losses.¹
     

  • Reduced gridlock: Shutdowns and brinkmanship impose heavy economic losses.⁸

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Decency Helps the Fiscally Liberal
 

  • Program integrity: Decency ensures public resources reach intended recipients.
     

  • Collaborative policymaking: Respectful negotiation enables major public investments.⁷

Decency Helps the  Socially Conservative
 

  • Institutional trust: Decent leadership reinforces the legitimacy of family, faith, and civic institutions.
     

  • Civic virtue: Leaders who model respect strengthen the norms that keep communities orderly.⁵

Decency Helps the  Socially Liberal
 

  • Equal treatment under the law: Decency demands fairness and protects against biased enforcement.
     

  • Reduced harm: Lowering dehumanizing rhetoric decreases public support for discrimination or violence.²

Decency Helps Higher‑Income Citizens
 

  • Asset protection: Stable, ethical governance prevents unpredictable shifts in property rights or regulations.
     

  • Global competitiveness: High‑trust, low‑corruption nations attract top talent and investment.⁴

Decency Helps Middle‑Class Citizens
 

  • Meritocracy: Decency ensures jobs, contracts, and opportunities are awarded based on ability, not political connections.
     

  • Lower hidden costs: Indecent governance leads to deteriorating infrastructure and inflated utility costs.⁹

Decency Helps Economically Vulnerable Citizens
 

  • Protection from abuse: Those with the least power are most at risk of mistreatment by officials; decency ensures dignity and legal rights.
     

  • Reliable safety nets: Transparent, respectful governance ensures fair distribution of essential services.¹⁰

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