What a pragmatic political framework looks like

The political framework from a pragmatic, non-ideological point of view might look something about like the following. This is part of the core structure on which a non-ideological political party could be formed. No political party adheres to these principles, which makes this a unique brand of politics, regardless of what all existing political parties or most special interests say to the contrary.

In particular, the two parties in power now would argue that they do adhere to these principles or at least to reliance on unspun reality and logic, while arguing that the opposing party does not. When they accuse each other of living in spin (their perception/definition of reality), they are both exactly right.

Cock's Comb Coral tree

Erythrina crista-galli

S. America

The political framework

1. Serve the public interest before serving special interests, which include politicians, political parties,  private sector entities and government itself
  - Identify true special interest needs and intelligently balance those with public interest needs
  - Find win-win or win-neutral solutions whenever possible
  - Require win-win outcomes for special interest favors that are not true competitive needs, e.g., are
simple money grabs with little or no demonstrable benefit to the public interest
  - The public interest: The optimum balance between serving American national domestic and foreign interests, defending its economy and the American standard of living, defending personal freedoms and protecting the environment

2. Limit the distorting influence of political and religious ideology on policy and perceptions of reality
  - Approach problems and issues with an open mind
  - Do not spin facts, analysis of issues or the merits of competing solutions
  - Understand that the best solutions to any given issue can be liberal, conservative, compromise or none of those
  - Ideology in politics is not sacred, it is just political theory
  - Ideologues have to win their case in a competitive marketplace of ideas based on reason and logic, not preconceived belief

3. Understand that the constitution is the highest and best source of authority for the law, political action and society's well-being
  - The constitution is a secular document and is grounded in pragmatism, reason and logic, not spin or any liberal, conservative, socialist, Christian or other ideology
  - The constitution is what the founding fathers left us and it was the product of bitter, hard-fought, pragmatic compromise, not any political or religious ideology
  - The constitution is in fact the ultimate basis for the law today, i.e., the courts do not decide cases based on any other document such as the Declaration of Independence or any religious text
  - The constitution is not frozen in time as clearly indicated by simple, open ended concepts such as "due process", "equal protection" and regulation of interstate commerce and by its self-described means for changing it through a defined amendment process
  - The constitution was designed to accommodate as much personal freedom as society can reasonably tolerate at any given time, which reflects its capacity for change to accommodate changes in society over time

4.  Understand that there is a role for government in society and that it can be very effective and efficient in serving the public interest or it can be a detriment depending on how it functions or fails to function
  - The contours of the proper role and scope of government in any given area is easier to see without distortion by ideology and spun reality
  - The constitution created a central government to address matters that individual states cannot or would not address
  - Some ideology holds that government is an enemy of society and should be blindly attacked, but that ideology is wrong
  - Some ideology holds that government is society's only friend and should be blindly supported, but that ideology is wrong

Where the Cock's Comb name comes from

The simple approach

With that simple framework, anyone can approach any political problem or social issue and get a long way toward coming to some reasonable options for compassionate, efficient policies and solutions that serve the public interest. Without that framework, you get political business as usual, i.e., failed politics, policies and service to special interests without much or any regard to the public interest. Serving special interests with money is where political incentives/rewards are aligned.

The question is do you have the moral courage to check your biases/ideology at the door and face reality or not. Talking the talk is easy. Walking the walk is hard.