📚 Summer school. Pete Ricketts holds 5 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
Own campaign is 14.6% PAC, but Runs leadership PAC 'American Excellence PAC' per OpenSecrets. Running a corporate-funded leadership PAC fails Open Books. (FEC/OpenSecrets 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
70%★ earned
“Treat humanity … always as an end and never as a means only.” — Kant
Generally measured public tone; no prominent record of dehumanizing or vermin-class rhetoric toward opponents (limited public record).
60
4Fear Is Not Fuel
65%★ earned
“…the better angels of our nature.” — Lincoln, First Inaugural
Mixed messaging; no standout fear-based brand but limited affirmative signature agenda documented.
60
5Truth & a Kept Word
70%★ earned
“…living within the truth.” A representative owes “his judgment.” — Havel · Burke
No significant fact-check or broken-promise record on file (limited public record).
60
6Against the Spirit of Party
42%☆ not yet
“The baneful effects of the spirit of party.” — Washington, Farewell Address
Reliable party-line, Trump-aligned voter; no documented costly break with the GOP.
60
7Morality
72%★ earned
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
No corruption finding; wealthy Ricketts family businessman, though his 2023 appointment by an ally-governor he backed drew self-dealing optics criticism.
60
Engage Ricketts
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 →