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Why Principles Matter
This article is part of our Principled Voter series. Does principle matter more than policy? In a democracy, it does. “Always vote for principle . . . and you may cherish the sweet reflection that your vote is never lost.” — John Quincy Adams Our country is unique. We are not defined by a common nationality, race, religion, or culture. Instead, we are held together — across our differences — by powerful ideas. “Sacred principles of the laws of nature,” like unity, democracy, equality, and freedom, are the sources of our strength, peace, and prosperity. They protect us. What is at risk when our political leaders undermine those principles in pursuit of…
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Character Matters — Preparedness
This article is part of our Principled Voter series. A principled voter asks: Is this candidate prepared? “To each, there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour.” — Winston Churchill What does it mean to be prepared? A principled voter knows that elections are not a game — and that good leaders must offer us more than a list of grievances. They vote to…
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Character Matters — Empathy
This article is part of our Principled Voter series. A principled voter asks: Is this candidate empathetic? “Democracy, in its essence and genius, is imaginative love for and identification with a community with which, much of the time and in many ways, one may be in profound disagreement.” — Marilynne Robinson What does it mean to be empathetic? A principled voter supports leaders who seek to understand and connect with those they represent — and not just people who vote for them. Empathetic leaders know their own experiences are not universal, so they make sincere efforts to understand how policies (or their absence) might affect all of their constituents. What is…