Championing Basic Human Decency in Public Service
Whatever divides us, basic human decency should unite us — that’s where we start building better government and a stronger, less divided country.
The Problem
The damage caused by lack of basic human decency is real, and it’s spreading.
In Government
- Disagreement has hardened into contempt, so ordinary compromise looks like betrayal — budgets pass late or not at all, appointments sit unfilled, and shared problems go unaddressed for years.
- Public servants face threats and harassment for doing routine work. Election officials, school board members, and public health workers have quit in numbers that should alarm anyone.
Outside Government
- Nearly eight in ten Americans say the two parties can’t agree on basic facts — we’re no longer arguing about what to do, we’re arguing about what’s true.
- Local institutions that once bridged differences — churches, civic clubs, volunteer groups — have thinned out, and families and friendships have quietly frayed over politics.
What ADG Does
Americans for Decency in Government is a nonpartisan, volunteer-led nonprofit that makes basic human decency a core expectation for public officials and gives citizens the tools to reward decent conduct and hold indecency accountable.
Patriot’s Pledge
A public commitment officials sign to uphold five core standards: Respect for All, Integrity/Honesty, Honor, Accountability, and Responsible Affiliation.
Decency Scorecard
A transparent, evidence-based scorecard that evaluates officials on observable conduct — never party or ideology.
Education
Case studies and other education that show decency is the foundation of strong leadership and help citizens apply decency standards in civic life.
Ready to Help Build Better Government?
Email your officials, learn the case for decency, or support the work directly — every step helps.