What we ask of everyone who stands with us
The Six Principles
JITOL is not built on a platform of positions. It rests on a few truths about people, and on a way of voting that follows from them. Anyone who embraces these principles belongs here, whatever party they belong to now.
- 1
All people are unique.
No two lives, histories or hearts are the same. Policy that forgets this treats people as categories instead of persons.
- 2
All people are valuable.
Worth is not earned by party, income, origin or opinion. Every person deserves to be heard and treated with dignity, including the people we disagree with.
- 3
The human world works best when we all work together.
Families, towns and nations thrive on cooperation. Winning by dividing people leaves everyone poorer.
- 4
No one completely understands another person's perspective.
Our perspectives are built from experience, and every person's experience is their own. That calls for humility, curiosity and listening before judging.
- 5
Vote thoughtfully, or do not vote.
A vote is a serious act. Take time to reason for yourself. Do not vote from habit, fear or slogans. If you have not thought it through, it is honorable to abstain.
- 6
Vote for the most gentlemanly or gentlewomanly candidate.
Choose the candidate who never uses hateful speech toward opponents and who looks for middle roads among the many parties. How someone campaigns shows how they will govern.
A plea before you vote
We are not asking you to vote for us. We are asking you to vote for yourself, by reasoning it through.
Read past the headlines. Listen to the side you usually dismiss. Ask which candidate treats opponents with respect and looks for common ground. Then decide by your own reasoning, not by anyone else's anger, including ours.
Our political life has been badly damaged. It will be rebuilt one thoughtful vote and one kind conversation at a time.
I embrace these principlesThese principles are a beginning. As JITOL grows, members will help shape what comes next. Share an idea.