This page contains rules that TAPP will enforce on any candidate for public office that seeks TAPP support.  They are intended to distinguish between candidates/politicians who offer intellectually honest debate, and those who wallow in ignorant squabbling.

These rules are derived from 10,000 years of Western Civilization's best minds that culminated in the "Age of Reason" that displaced the ages in which humans suffered unimaginably under the tyranny or "beliefs". That is the difference between a legal system that requires the State to prove guilt, and one that requires the accused to prove her or his innocence. A system that no longer tests for innocence by throwing a bound woman into a lake and, beyond all reason, "Believing" her innocent if she drowns, and "Believing" her guilty, and hanging her, if she doesn't.

TAPP's rules are intended to help people who were denied knowledge of, and an appreciation for, the rules of Reason by a public school system firmly in the hands of teachers who teach "majority rules" instead of "reason rules". Quite literally, the children who are teaching America's children today no longer teach the wonders of Western Civilization -- like the "Age of Reason" that replaced the unimaginable cruelty of earlier ages during which mindless "beliefs" ruled.

Therefore, TAPP believes the only way to replace the dishonest, disgusting and discourteous squabbling that dominates public discussions of important issues, with useful and honest debate is to a public that understands, and therefore honors, the rules of formal reasoning -- A public that will be offended when political candidates dishonor them in public discussions, not cheer.

The sin is not that all high school students graduate with a full knowledge of the rules of formal reasoning. The sin is that they graduate without understanding the foundation of the "Age of Reason". They are but 3: A thing can be proven true. A thing can be proven false. Most importantly it is possible to prove that a thing has not been proven to be either.

TAPP also believes one of the best ways to teach is by example. Hence TAPP will require those who seek its support to live these rules.

An ancillary benefit is that by publicly declaring measurable standards, TAPP guarantees that if it lapses by oversight or by intent, someone will immediately tell us. TAPP is not blind to the fact that the first person anyone lies to is themselves. Then the desire for a “good means” often rationalizes “temporarily” shedding the harness of principles. Writing them down helps prevent that.

Honest critics might even suggest better conclusions -- which is the goal.

• Do no use unreferenced plural pronouns or indefinite nouns. They are inherently dishonest. ... [more]

• Avoid applying the verb "to be" to an individual, e.g. individual(s) X "is" or "are". Substitutes a verb that describes a specific act that is under the control of the individual, instead of labeling a person with an attribute that is either beyond the individual's control (race, sex, etc.) or that extends a single act into a permanent quality.

  The statement "He lied when he said ..." is an honest statement: "He is a liar" is not.

  "He lied" is limited to a specific past act: "Liar" wrongly presumes to predict future behavior.

  "He lied" can be confirmed or disproved: "Liar" invites a stupidly foolish argument over the number, and severity, of lies required to make a person a "liar".

• Every person is entitled to be viewed as individual. No person should be referred to by a group designation.

  It has a corollary: A sign of high intelligence is the ability to see small distinctions among superficially similar things: That is why to an ignorant bigot "they all look alike".

  Do not use statements such as those made by Al Sharpton that claim "black" people want/are/have been/ etc ... ". It shows ignorance of the uniquely individual nature of every human being. It fails to respect for the right of each such person to be judged on her or his own merits. It displays arrogance by claiming the right to speak for people without their consent. ... [more]

• The term "Native-American" is an oxymoron. The American nationality has no blood line, because unlike any nation that came before it, America defined its nationality in terms of common principles, not a common bloodline.

  "Native" is a synonym for bloodline-based which is the antithesis of American. ... [more]