America was founded on a set of shared principles—not on blood, ancestry, or religion, but on values. Those values shaped our laws, guided our institutions, and defined the arc of our history. They are not partisan inventions or modern preferences; they are rooted in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and generations of struggle to expand liberty and justice to more people.
This index brings together the core American values that animate our work at The Right Is Wrong. Each entry explains what the value means, why it matters, and where it comes from, drawing directly from our founding documents, landmark legislation, and the movements that pushed our nation closer to its ideals.
These are the standards we measure ourselves against—the principles that make America what it is. If someone rejects these values, they’re not defending American tradition; they’re opposing it.
Below is a complete list of those values for your exploration.
- Bodily Autonomy
- Civil Liberties & Equality Under Law
- Community & Shared Responsibility
- Democracy & Voting Rights
- Diversity & Immigration
- Economic Mobility
- Environmental Stewardship
- Equal Opportunity & Education
- Free Speech & Dissent
- Privacy & Love
- Progress & Reform
- Rule of Law & Equal Justice
- Science & Innovation
- Separation of Church & State
These values form the backbone of The Right Is Wrong — the principles we reference, defend, and build upon throughout the rest of the site.