📚 Summer school. John Ratcliffe holds 3 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
AI and oil stock conflicts were flagged at his nomination.
60
2Free & Fair Electionscritical
82%★ earned
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” — Abraham Lincoln
No election-denial or incitement on the page; peaceful-handoff record intact.
60
3The Dignity of the Opponent
55%☆ not yet
“Treat humanity … always as an end and never as a means only.” — Kant
The record is limited on personal conduct toward opponents.
60
4Fear Is Not Fuel
52%☆ not yet
“…the better angels of our nature.” — Lincoln, First Inaugural
The record is thin on vision beyond the agency role.
60
5Truth & a Kept Word
61%★ earned
“…living within the truth.” A representative owes “his judgment.” — Havel · Burke
The record is limited on direct engagement of critics. No documented broken commitment on the limited record.
60
6Against the Spirit of Party
58%☆ not yet
“The baneful effects of the spirit of party.” — Washington, Farewell Address
Confirmed 74–25 with 20 Democrats, giving real bipartisan credibility.
60
7Morality
76%★ earned
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
No personal-ethics scandal; a bipartisan 74–25 confirmation with twenty Democrats crediting his credibility.
60
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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 →