A New Kind of Political Candidate?

In Chinese astrology, 2016 is the Year of the Monkey – which makes total sense given the number of apes, chimps, and bonobos that are running for political office this year! I read that weaknesses of people under this sign are being egotistical, arrogant, crafty, restless, and snobbish, so I rest my case. We totally get how much it matters for everyone to be involved in participating in this most precious of democratic privileges, though no doubt by February we will be sick and tired of the rhetoric, super PAC influence, poor sportsmanship, fear mongering, and misinformation if you aren’t already.

Are you ready for a new kind of political candidate? Here’s an idea whose time has come: now that the business world is evolving with the advent of B Corporations, what if we had a vetting and trust mark called B Candidates? Political candidates would be required to pass an Impact Assessment, just like B Corps currently do. And furthermore, they would have to abide by the B Corporation Declaration of Interdependence:

• We must be the change we seek in the world.
• A candidate’s actions ought be conducted as if people and place mattered.
• Through their practices, candidates should aspire to do no harm and to benefit all.
• To do so requires that we act with the understanding that we are each dependent upon each other and thus responsible for each other and future generations.

So instead of “people using business as a force of good” we could say “people using government as a force for good,” meaning that political candidates should serve more than just their shareholders (i.e. themselves and their contributors), and act for the good of the community and the planet, in solving social and environmental problems. Whadya think B Candidates, good idea?

Please note: while Dharma was a Registered B Corp at the time of this posting, it no longer is.