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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.” â John Quincy Adams Our country is unique. We are not defined by a common nationality, race, religion, or culture. Instead, we are held together â across our differences â 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 â Preparedness
This article is part of our Principled Voter series. A principled voter asks: Is this candidate prepared? âTo 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.â â Winston Churchill What does it mean to be prepared? A principled voter knows that elections are not a game â and that good leaders must offer us more than a list of grievances. They vote to…
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Character Matters â Empathy
This article is part of our Principled Voter series. A principled voter asks: Is this candidate empathetic? âDemocracy, 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.â â Marilynne Robinson What does it mean to be empathetic? A principled voter supports leaders who seek to understand and connect with those they represent â 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…
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Character Matters â Trustworthiness
This article is part of our Principled Voter series. A principled voter asks: Is this candidate trustworthy? âTrust and truth arenât the only things that matter in a democracy, but no democracy can survive without them.â â Nancy Gibbs What does it mean to be trustworthy? A principled voter knows that democracies run on trust â and trust flows from honest communication and behavior. When we select politicians to represent us, we expect them to make decisions grounded in fact and act with our best interests in mind. What is at stake? Policy can be temporary, but untrustworthy leaders can do lasting harm. They fracture our confidence in government, institutions, and each other.…
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Why Character Matters
This article is part of our Principled Voter series. Does the character of a candidate matter? In a democracy, it does. âIn a president, character is everything. . . . [Y]ou canât buy courage and decency, you canât rent a strong moral sense. A president must bring those things with [them].â â Peggy Noonan, 1995 Our form of government only works when leaders respect certain boundaries â like understanding and honoring the rule of law, respecting the balance of power, telling the truth, and treating people with basic respect. Those actions require character. If you could choose your next police commissioner, or the principal of your childrenâs school, or the…
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Your Vote Is Your Voice â How Will You Use It?
This article is part of our Principled Voter series. Your vote is your voice. How will you use it? Youâve got a lot on your plate â family, finances, work, community involvement, and more! And when you add nonstop news on top of all that, itâs no wonder the majority of Americans outsource their vote to political parties. While more than 40% of voters consider themselves independent, only 4% of registered voters in 2020 said they planned to vote a split ticket, meaning theyâd vote for candidates from more than one party. So how independent is your vote, really? Your vote says something about what you value, and it should…
