The Bill of Obligations: The 10 Habits of Good Citizens, by Richard Haass, longtime diplomat and policy maker for four presidents.

Mr. Haass discusses ten “obligations” that citizens owe one another and the country and persuasively argues that by following these principles, citizens of all political stripes can move closer to forming the “more perfect union” that the drafters of our Constitution hoped to create in 1787.

Here are the ten “habits” that Mr. Haass lists as Obligations:

Be Informed:  Understand how the government, economy and society work and the viewpoints of fellow citizens. 

Get Involved:   Democracy is not a spectator sport.  Voting is only the start.

Stay Open to Compromise:  Compromise builds broad support and is the base for future  action.

Remain Civil:   Learn to disagree without being disagreeable.

Reject Violence:  Non-violent protests and civil disobedience work;  violence does not.

Value Norms:  Accepting election results is the first of many “norms” that serve our society. 

Promote the Common Good:  Support policies benefitting all over narrow selfish interests.

Respect Government Service;  We need good government; good government requires a qualified work force;  a qualified work force needs respect.

Support the Teaching of Civics:  Strong civics classes were the norm in my youth and are necessary for an informed citizenry.  

Put the Interests of the Country First:  Parties and individuals can disagree, but we cannot let our disagreements destroy our country.

– Donald P. Swisher (age 90).