Let’s Vote Better
Politics is broken. It’s time to get our heads right.
The Essence of a Good Leader
Integrity
Positive intent. The willingness to do what is right vs what is easy. Values character and honesty. You may not always agree with this person’s decisions, but you don’t question their intent to make the right decision for the general good.
Competence
Has a deep understanding of the job at hand. Experience paired with knowledge and wisdom. Gives serious consideration to all sides of issues to develop a comprehensive understanding. Trusts experts and is willing to change their mind in the face of contradictory evidence.
Kindness
Genuinely cares for others. Leads with compassion and empathy. Gives grace and sees the humanity in everybody. Humbly serves and inspires others to do the same.
Reasonable People Need to Speak
I’m so frustrated with politics. I need to speak up. Traditional political speech is utterly ineffective, so I created these stickers.
I harbor no illusions that one sticker will change the world, but when good and reasonable people don’t speak, only the unsavory and unreasonable are heard.
“I vote for integrity, competence and kindness.” - such a simple phrase, such a different concept.
Many voters see nothing beyond an issue or allegiance to party. Politics becomes bloodsport. Victory is more important than integrity. Control outweighs competence. Division obliterates kindness. Nobody wins. Democracy loses.
People are entrenched in their positions. Advocating for a candidate or issue just causes people to shut down and make assumptions. The forums for constructive discourse are closed.
It’s time to change the narrative. Let’s get back to what we do have in common, our core values. Let’s get back to the very basics.
Reaching an entrenched voter requires a different topic of conversation. That’s where values come in. It shifts the conversation from places where people are dug in to a place where agreement and fresh discussion is possible.
I posit that we all want leaders with integrity, competence and kindness.
(I’d really like to hear somebody make the case for a dishonest, incompetent and cruel leader.)
I vote based on character and capability. If we get that right, the issues will sort themselves out.
Help me spread the word and change the narrative.
Get a free sticker
When I got started, I really just wanted one sticker for my car. But then I went ahead and ordered a bunch and created this site one night. Why not spread the word?
Enter your address and I’ll mail you a sticker. No charge. No catch.
Thanks for being a reasonable person.
One frustrated and scared dude.
My name is Mike Rustici and I approved this message. I’m just a dude. A father, husband and recovering entrepreneur.
I’m somebody who is terrified to speak about politics and revolts at the thought of entering that vicious fray of meaningless discourse.
I’m also somebody who recognizes the core problem is that reasonable and capable people don’t enter the fray because they are revolted and terrified.
I’m deeply concerned, not about any specific policy direction, but that we can’t have reasonable conversations about our disagreements.
The leadership of any organization profoundly affects the culture of the entire population.
The dysfunction, division and distrust of our leaders is spreading…to you and to me, to my friends, family and neighbors that I just want to hold dear.
I feel it deeply and I don’t like it.
So this is my little attempt at speaking out without joining the fray.
It feels pretty good so far. I hope you’ll join me.