📚 Summer school. Don Bacon holds 6 of seven stars — but fails a critical Article (Open Books). Assignment: summer school for Civics, watch every Schoolhouse Rock episode five times, and submit a one-page report — due before the end of the year. Report to summer school →
“…the property of the people.” — Cicero, De Re Publica
35.1% of receipts from PACs — over the 15% cap; fails the money floor. (FEC 2026)
60
2Free & Fair Electionscritical
82%★ earned
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” — Abraham Lincoln
No 2020 election denial, no fake-elector role, and no documented support for partisan gerrymandering. (Jan 6 roll call; OpenSecrets; redistricting record)
60
3The Dignity of the Opponent
80%★ earned
“Treat humanity … always as an end and never as a means only.” — Kant
Publicly criticizes division and dehumanizing rhetoric; retirement statement lamented a culture that punishes cooperation (NBC News).
60
4Fear Is Not Fuel
75%★ earned
“…the better angels of our nature.” — Lincoln, First Inaugural
Emphasizes bipartisan problem-solving over threat; institutional rather than grievance-driven messaging.
60
5Truth & a Kept Word
78%★ earned
“…living within the truth.” A representative owes “his judgment.” — Havel · Burke
Solid fact-check record; acknowledged Biden's 2020 win and speaks candidly against his own party when warranted.
60
6Against the Spirit of Party
85%★ earned
“The baneful effects of the spirit of party.” — Washington, Farewell Address
Genuine maverick who broke with Trump on Ukraine, tariffs, Signalgate, and the infrastructure vote, drawing public rebuke (Nebraska Examiner, NBC).
60
7Morality
78%★ earned
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
No documented personal corruption or ethics matter on record; default character score applied.
60
Engage Bacon
Every public channel, one click. Hold them to it — warmly, in the register of right speech.
This review is offered freely and openly to correction. A challenge is considered only when it states a specific reason and links to sources that substantiate it — an assertion without evidence is not reviewed.
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Scores are Independent 2026’s own editorial read against the Seven Articles — ≥60% earns the star. The first two Articles are critical: fail Open Books or Free & Fair Elections and there is no seal, whatever else holds. Each Article carries its founding quote as the yardstick. On bias →