If any members would be willing to read this, poke holes in it and offer input, I would be grateful.
The Divergent: Strategic Outline for Cultural and Political Disruption

Working Tagline: Reason. Restoration. Renaissance.
Or Integrity. Transparency. Respect.

I. Introduction: Why Now?

America is paralyzed by polarization. The current political system feeds on division, outrage, and gridlock.

Reasonable, values-driven people on both sides of the aisle are politically homeless.

The status quo benefits power structures, not citizens. The Divergent offers a real-time alternative.

II. Foundational Premise: What Makes This Different
Not a third party — a functional realignment of citizens reclaiming power without adopting old structures.

Not centrism — a movement defined by functionality, truth-seeking, and mutually satisfying outcomes.

Not passive — we leverage collective abstinence, transparency, and upstream solutions to shift power.

III. Core Values

Defection from division — We reject and sever allegiance to any organization, media outlet, or political entity that leverages division for power, profit, or influence. Solidarity in this refusal is how we reclaim our collective strength.

1.     Integrity without compromise — Candidates and policies must meet basic moral and functional standards.

2.     Truth before tribe — We abandon party loyalty in favor of proven solutions and public accountability.

3.     Transparent testing of values — We create space for honest dialogue without requiring ideological surrender.

4.     Protecting the vulnerable — We reject power structures that shield predators or reward corruption.

5.     Cultural renaissance — We are creatives, thinkers, builders, reformers. This is about more than elections.

IV. Strategy for Disruption

We work across the aisle to raise standards and support high-character candidates on all sides, because we believe every community deserves leadership grounded in integrity.

Phase 1: Immediate Influence

Launch a coalition (not a party) of politically homeless citizens.

Develop a clear code of conduct and minimum leadership standards.

Use abstention as leverage: publicly reject all candidates who don’t meet basic, pre-defined integrity metrics such as transparency, accountability, and a track record of ethical governance.
A published framework will guide this evaluation.

Identify and support moderate reform-minded candidates where possible.

Phase 2: Demonstration Through Solutions
Launch small-scale, community-based pilot programs — such as in mental health access, restorative criminal justice, and local education reform — designed and measured in collaboration with nonpartisan researchers and local practitioners.

Use measurable results to show that upstream solutions outperform current policy approaches.

Publish data transparently to challenge establishment narratives.

Phase 3: Cultural Legitimacy
Foster a culture of rigorous, respectful public and internal debate. Internally, we use open discourse to refine ideas, expose blind spots, and hold each other accountable.

Externally, we engage in principled, public-facing dialogue to defend our ideas, challenge misinformation, and model a higher standard of discourse.

We will provide training in effective communication and debate for members to engage constructively and confidently.
Build a new identity apart from political tribalism: we are the Divergent.

Launch media efforts — podcasts, essays, short-form content — to tell stories and share results.

Host creative, nonpartisan gatherings focused on problem-solving and accountability.

V. How We Scale

We actively seek experts and strategists from every sector — healthcare, education, law, technology, economics, faith, and culture — to ensure our solutions are grounded, scalable, and viable.

Our aim is to avoid wasting time on well-meaning but ineffective ideas and instead prioritize outcomes that work in the real world.

Build a core team with defined roles: strategic, creative, operational, financial. Engage early with thought leaders, reform-minded influencers, and quiet public figures ready to speak. Use grassroots momentum and public abstinence campaigns to force parties to adapt or lose relevance. Go heavy on swag marketing with the logo on shirts hats bumper stickers mugs

VI. Why This Can Work

Both major parties have alienated a large portion of their own base. Those are our people.
Additionally there are approximately 40 million moderate or politically unaffiliated Americans, based on 2024 voter registration and Gallup self-identification data.
The Divergent offers a peaceful, evidence-based escape route for those trapped in false binaries.
We don’t need to win elections to change outcomes — we just need to withhold support strategically and demonstrate better ways.

VII. Conclusion: The Path Forward
We aren’t waiting for permission to lead. We are leading where others have failed.
This is a movement of reason, restoration, and renaissance.

We are not reforming the system from within. We are demonstrating, through example, that it no longer meets the demands of functional governance — and that better frameworks are possible.
We are not here to divide. We are here to depart.
We stand in principled defection from systems that exploit division — and in solidarity with one another to raise the bar for leadership everywhere. Because we believe every citizen deserves better, regardless of affiliation.

Are you ready to diverge?
Join us.

The Divergent Manifesto
We are citizens of conscience. Thinkers, builders, protectors, reformers, creators. We are not defined by party, platform, or tribe—but by our refusal to be complicit in a system that survives on outrage, division, and decay.

We believe the current political order is designed not to serve the people, but to manipulate them. It thrives when we are polarized. It profits when we distrust. It wins when we settle.

We refuse to settle.

We defect from all institutions, media, and leadership—right or left—that gain power or profit by dividing us. We will no longer feed a system that rewards corruption, shields predators, and rationalizes dysfunction.

We are not moderates. We are not passive. We are not undecided. We are fiercely committed to principled leadership, upstream solutions, and the restoration of truth in public life. This is not about ideology—it is about integrity. And we will not compromise it.

We believe that moral clarity requires action. We believe that power must be held accountable. 

We commit to transparency, to rigorous internal debate, and to public engagement that elevates the conversation. We will speak plainly. We will reason deeply. We will train others to do the same.

We will refuse our votes when they have not been earned. We will publicly hold the line when parties and candidates fall below even the most basic standards. And we will test new ideas—locally, creatively, transparently—because proof is more powerful than promise.

We believe in better. Not easier, not flashier, not louder—better. Because better endures.

This is a movement of reason, restoration, and renaissance. A call not to centrism, but to courage. Not to compromise, but to clarity.

We are not reforming the system. We are walking away from it—and building something functional in its place.

We are The Divergent.

Join us.

The Divergent: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is this a third party?

A: No. The Divergent is not a political party and has no interest in becoming one. It is a citizen-led movement focused on creating functional, upstream solutions and holding existing power structures accountable—without loyalty to any party.

Q2: Are you just centrists trying to avoid taking sides?

A: Not at all. We believe in moral clarity and firm convictions. This is not about finding the middle—it’s about leaving a dysfunctional system and building something better. We are driven by outcomes, not optics.

Q3: What do you mean by "abstention as leverage"?

A: Strategic abstention is the deliberate withholding of votes from any candidate who fails to meet clearly defined standards of integrity. It's not apathy—it's a form of protest that exposes the system’s dependency on assumed support. In a system where both major parties are represented, abstention doesn’t hand power to one side; it forces both to compete for voters who now demand better. Even if it leads to short-term losses, the long-term pressure can shift the political landscape and raise the bar for leadership.

Q4: How do you determine who qualifies as a high-integrity candidate?

A: We are developing a clear public framework that includes moral character, ethical track record, transparency, willingness to collaborate, and evidence-based policymaking. Anyone from any party can qualify.

Q5: Is this a religious movement?

A: No. While many in the movement are people of faith, The Divergent is not religiously affiliated. It welcomes anyone committed to truth, integrity, and upstream solutions.

Q6: What does "upstream solutions" mean?

A: It means solving problems at the root rather than constantly reacting to symptoms. Instead of responding to crime, we address mental health, education, family breakdown, and economic instability before they escalate.

Q7: Are you trying to cancel people or target leaders you disagree with?

A: No. We are committed to accountability, not cancellation. We believe in grace—but also in truth, transparency, and consequences for those in power who abuse it.

Q8: What if I don't want to be politically active? Can I still be involved?

A: Absolutely. The movement includes artists, builders, teachers, small business owners, parents, and thinkers. There is room for everyone to contribute through culture, community, innovation, or just showing up.

Q9: How is this different from past reform efforts?

A: Most efforts try to fix the system from within. We’re proving we don’t need the system to do better. By showing the power of collective abstention and grassroots solutions, we expose the current model as obsolete.

Q10: What’s next?

A: We are assembling a core team, defining our standards, preparing to launch pilot projects, and engaging with thought leaders across sectors. Public and internal debate will be essential—internally, to refine our ideas and expose blind spots, and externally, to challenge false narratives and publicly defend our vision. We will also equip our members with communication tools and debate guidelines to elevate discourse and train a generation of clear, respectful advocates. To build solutions that actually work, we are actively seeking experts and strategists across every industry—healthcare, education, law, tech, culture, and more—to ensure our proposals are grounded, effective, and scalable. Anyone who aligns with our values can contribute. We welcome your voice.We are assembling a core team, defining our standards, preparing to launch pilot projects, and engaging with thought leaders across sectors. Public and internal debate will be essential—internally, to refine our ideas and expose blind spots, and externally, to challenge false narratives and publicly defend our vision. We will also equip our members with communication tools and debate guidelines to elevate discourse and train a generation of clear, respectful advocates. Anyone who aligns with our values can contribute. We welcome your voice.

Q11: What does success look like?**

A: Success means raising the bar for leadership, launching viable upstream alternatives, and inspiring a cultural shift toward civic responsibility. If we change the incentive structure—even without “winning” traditional elections—we win.

Q12: What’s your stance on faith and moral values?

A: We believe moral courage matters. Many of us come from faith backgrounds, but we welcome all people of conscience who reject corruption and seek a better way.

Q13: How do you protect the movement from being co-opted or diluted over time?

A: We stay grounded through transparent values, published standards, and a community that prizes accountability. Leadership is shared, and our direction is guided by principles—not personalities. The best safeguard is a culture that doesn’t tolerate manipulation or mission drift.

Q14: What does real accountability look like—beyond just calling things out?

A: Real accountability means protecting the vulnerable, not reputations. It means confronting wrongdoing even when it’s inconvenient, applying standards consistently, and resisting the urge to justify corruption based on tribe or outcome. It requires truth, transparency, and consequences—especially for those in positions of power.

Join us. Become Divergent.

How to Join The Divergent Movement

Whether you're a thinker, builder, reformer, artist, strategist, or simply tired of a broken system—there is a place for you here.

Step 1: Understand the Mission

Before joining, familiarize yourself with our founding outline, core values, and FAQ. We are not a political party. We are a functional movement of defectors from division, committed to upstream solutions, principled abstention, and cultural renaissance.

Step 2: Sign the Divergent Commitment

We are developing a public integrity pledge—a nonpartisan commitment to reject corruption, refuse to empower unfit leadership, and collaborate for viable solutions. Early supporters will have the opportunity to shape this language.

Step 3: Choose Your Role

We welcome members with all types of strengths:

• Communicators – Help lead debate, storytelling, media, and public messaging.

• Builders – Develop local pilot programs and cultural projects.

• Analysts – Evaluate data, policies, and viable upstream alternatives.

• Artists/Designers – Inspire and visualize the movement.

• Connectors – Help us find experts across industries.

• Strategists – Help plan how to maximize leverage and pressure.

We also welcome quiet supporters—those who amplify, contribute privately, or hold space in their communities.

Step 4: Join Our Public Forums (Coming Soon)

We're building spaces for:

• Internal debate and solution brainstorming

• Public discussion with critics and opponents

• Resource sharing and tactical collaboration

 ### Step 5: Start Local

You don’t need permission to start. Begin conversations. Host a listening session. Challenge your local leaders to higher standards. Share our materials.

 ### Step 6: Stay Accountable

We are not above critique. If we stop aligning with our own values, call us out. Debate is part of our DNA. So is humility.

This is not about building a brand. This is about reclaiming responsibility.

Join us. Become Divergent.