📚 Summer school. John Cornyn holds 4 of seven stars — but fails a critical Article (Open Books & Free & Fair Elections). 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
17.2% of receipts from PACs — over the 15% cap; fails the money floor. (FEC 2026)
60
2Free & Fair Electionscritical
42%☆ not yet
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” — Abraham Lincoln
Actively backed the 2025 TX mid-decade GOP redraw — wrote the FBI urging it help track down quorum-breaking Democrats to enable passage (CNN, 8/9/2025). Fails Free & Fair Elections.
60
3The Dignity of the Opponent
68%★ earned
“Treat humanity … always as an end and never as a means only.” — Kant
Generally measured lawyerly tone; occasional sharp partisan jabs but no dehumanizing pattern.
60
4Fear Is Not Fuel
66%★ earned
“…the better angels of our nature.” — Lincoln, First Inaugural
Balances affirmative legislating with partisan critique; moderate reliance on threat messaging.
60
5Truth & a Kept Word
70%★ earned
“…living within the truth.” A representative owes “his judgment.” — Havel · Burke
Broadly accurate fact-check record; positions largely consistent across long tenure.
60
6Against the Spirit of Party
55%☆ not yet
“The baneful effects of the spirit of party.” — Washington, Farewell Address
Led bipartisan 2022 Safer Communities gun-safety law, drawing backlash from his own Texas GOP.
60
7Morality
75%★ earned
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
No documented corruption, ethics findings, or credible personal scandal on the public record.
60
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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 →