A good widget maker knows that if flawed widgets are produced, a change will be necessary. But what if the change the maker selected was offering additional colors, new packaging, and special pricing? Or employing new marketing techniques like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram?

Although well intentioned, none of these improvements will fix the flawed product.

If the process is flawed, the product will be flawed. The only way to improve the product is to fix the process.

The process for producing public policy in Congress is flawed. The process itself kills policy ideas through the bypassing of the rules, and procedural decisions that limit discussion.

As a result, Congress often fails to pass good public policy. The American people are frustrated. Republican voters are even more frustrated.

The only way to improve the GOP brand and make good public policy is to fix the process. This requires transforming the way Congress does business.

Long before I arrived in Washington, I encountered a similar problem in the Florida legislature. There existed a pyramid of power where a few people at the top of that pyramid made all of the decisions.

The only way to improve the GOP brand and make good public policy is to fix the process. This requires transforming the way Congress does business.

When I became Speaker of the House, I pushed down the pyramid and spread out the base. Each member – whether conservative, moderate, or liberal — was empowered to put forth ideas on behalf of his or her constituents.​ Rather than running up against deadlines, the most important issues were taken up first, we operated in the sunshine, and we finished our work on time. Confidence in the institution to produce good public policy was restored. The old House was based on the power of a few, while the transformed House was based on principle.

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There are fundamental differences between power and principle.

Power focuses on self-preservation; principle focuses on making ideas successful.

Power tends to protect itself merely to maintain its own status and control. Principle gives up power for the sake of creating the best public policy.

Power demands to be heard; principle earns the right to be heard.

Power focuses on rights; principle focuses on responsibility.

#share#One of the most significant contrasts between power and principle is how it treats policy. Power tends to view an idea based on the position, loyalty, rank, or seniority of the sponsor. Principle focuses solely on the merits of the idea itself.

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The American people are looking for transformation, not just a change in leaders. They expect the leader of Congress to forge consensus among members, get the trains running on time, give everyone a voice, and empower members to put forth solutions. Americans know a flawed process results in a flawed policy. Our conference wants a Republican leader who is committed to their principles, but can also get things done. I was that leader in Florida and I can be that leader in Congress.

#related#To my colleagues: As Speaker of the House, I would serve you by pushing down the pyramid of power in Congress, spreading out the base, and allowing every member to represent his or her constituents. A principle-based process does not mean that every member’s bills or amendments pass; it means every member gets an opportunity to participate. Each representative was elected from a district that contains the same number of Americans, and each representative deserves to engage in the people’s business.

To the American people: My commitment is to empower your representatives to be your voice in the House of Representatives by establishing a principle-based process, not one that amasses power in the hands of a few.

Please join me in this historic opportunity to show the American people that the House of Representatives is back doing the people’s business.