About

The Commonsense Rules is the title of an informative, thought-provoking, and inspirational new book by author Paul Harrington, a former business executive and practicing attorney. The “rules” are the universal values innate to all people, which are discoverable by applying reason to the truth. These natural rules are the source of our “unalienable rights.” This website was created to introduce interested and concerned Americans to the ideas in the book. The site also serves as a blog for the author’s commentary and as a forum for the feedback of readers and users.

The main premise of the book is that the United States is in a serious decline that cannot be reversed without major transformative changes. The severity of the problems can be proven by applying practical economic theory and basic mathematical formulas to economic and fiscal data. But the underlying causes are rooted in the historical framing and interpretations of the Constitution. And the symptoms are the dysfunctional political and governmental system, poor social services, and growing inequality of income and wealth.

The end result will be the default of the federal government on its debt, triggering a domino effect of state and local government defaults, economic collapse, and social disintegration. There is no way to prevent the impending disaster within the existing political system and structure of government. The book explains an economic and fiscal “catch 22”—how the American economy has become dependent on the deficit spending that will ultimately cause its destruction. All government spending in the United States, including transfers under benefit programs, now equates to about half of the real economy.

Solutions to the major problems facing America have to be derived from the natural rights. Disaster can be averted but only if Americans recognize that major constitutional changes are necessary. A new constitution is the answer—based on application of the commonsense rules to the role of government in the twenty-first century. The amazing thing is that the changes can eliminate poverty, provide better health care, and ensure quality education—for all citizens—at the same time that the debt and deficit problems are being eliminated.

All of this could be accomplished while the economy is strengthened and rebalanced, leading to more consistent growth in the future. But the transformation must take place before it is too late, and time is running out. The politicians will not solve the problems. We the people must retake control of the American dream, for ourselves and for future generations.

If you are interested in becoming part of a national grassroots effort to overhaul politics and government in America, please go to the Feedback page of this website and let us know what you think about the book, the movement for change, and this website!