Rather unexpectedly, for the first time before the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, I read Thomas Paine’s 1776 appeal/manifesto Common Sense, written to make the case for American independence. Paine made his case pragmatically, using common sense dynamics of respect for facts and self-evident moral truths arising from lived experience.
I like to think that the work of the Caux Round Table for Moral Capitalism is another instance of common sense showing us the right way to live well.
In 1996, I ventured into politics here in Minnesota, running for a seat in the U.S. Senate. I lost, but felt good that I had done my duty as a citizen in speaking out, not for myself, but for the common good.
Recently, I came across my statement of principles which I had then proposed as foundational for my country’s achievements in world history and for its well-being in our times.
What I published then is not dissimilar to the ethical vision of the Caux Round Table in advocating principles for ethical capitalism and ethical governance of public institutions.
Here is what I put before the public in 1995 (apologies for it being a little crooked).