John P. Morse, Ph.D., CPA

When I stood up for #gunsafety, I knew the risks. I said, “If passing these bills cost me my political career, that’s a small price to pay.”

I have no regrets—lives matter more than politics.

#CivicResponsibility #Leadership

Leadership sometimes means risking your career for someone else’s safety.

#CourageToLead #PublicService

At age 14, I was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout. (I've been told that only 2-3% earn that recognition at that age). 32 years later, another 14-year-old, Ben Wolman, heard my recall story in 2013 and wrote his award-winning 2014 Profile in Courage essay about it.
www.jfklibrary.org/learn/educat...

Actions speak louder than words. #ShowMe

When folks learn I am the eldest of 10 children, they often ask what that was like. It helps to understand that was probably where my core values developed. Life in such a large family is its own kind of apprenticeship.

My folks gave me a moral compass, but it was in the push-and-pull with my three brothers and six sisters that my leadership, grit, and sense of fairness took root.

www.thejohnmorsecode.com/blog-recalle...

We must speak plainly, civilly, and refuse to let vitriol drown out reason.

#civiceducation #politics #wisdom #thejohnmorsecode

‘The more in the world you encounter kindness, and cheerfulness (which is kind of its amiable uncle or aunt), the better the world always is – and all the big words: virtue, justice, truth, are dwarfed by the greatness of kindness.’

It's #WorldKindnessDay! This quote from our patron Stephen Fry says it all. 🥰

Discernment Over Emails A galvanizing moment used against me during the 2013 Senate recall came from an interview I did with Rachel Maddow on MSNBC . My opponents seized on a comment, taken out of context, in which I...

I told my caucus to stop reading hate mail.
Not to ignore people — but to protect purpose.
We stopped reading thousands of emails that did nothing to inform deliberation.

#civiceducation #politics #lessonslearned #thejohnmorsecode
@maddow.msnbc.com

www.thejohnmorsecode.com/blog-recalle...

Communities that talk, listen, and lean into tension are the ones that ultimately protect both lives and liberties. #civicengagement #thejohnmorsecode

What started as exposure to violence became a calling to prevent it. The thread didn’t define me. It refined me.

https://www.thejohnmorsecode.com/blog-recalled-but-not-silenced/a-humanizing-example-of-colorados-red-flag-gun-law

Leadership sometimes requires tuning out the noise to hear what truly matters. #CourageToLead #PublicService #Accountability #thejohnmorsecode

Make your vote count! #recalledbutnotsilenced #thejohnmorsecode

A Living Epilogue: The Story Behind Jessi’s Law A deep disappointment for me amid the passage of five gun-safety laws in 2013 was the failure of Colorado Senate Bill 196, titled the Assault Weapon Responsibility Act. I introduced it with...

Jessi’s Law is more than legislation. It’s the legacy of courage. #thejohnmorsecode #legacy
www.thejohnmorsecode.com/recalled-but...

johnpmorsephd.substack.com/p/a-profile-...

Reimagining civility for a polarized era means committing, again and again, to hearing others and honoring their humanity. Many believe that civility is less about unanimous agreement and more about listening, learning, and working constructively—even when it’s difficult. How do you define civility?

Standing by my convictions on gun safety led to Colorado’s first legislative recall. It was a defining moment in my career—and a test of true leadership. #Leadership #GunSafety #PublicService #ColoradoHistory #StandUpForWhatIsRight

Looking back, I see how these formative moments have shaped my approach to leadership and service. 2/2
#LifeLessons #CareerJourney #Resilience

From earning my Eagle Scout badge to working as an EMT while studying accounting, every step built the grit needed for public service...1/2

#EagleScout #PublicService #LeadershipJourney #ServiceAboveSelf #GritAndGrowth #LeadershipMatters

If you’re passionate about leadership, public service, or learning directly from the challenges and triumphs of government, let’s connect. #LessonsLearned #BookInProgress #CivicEngagement #LinkedInCommunity

I’m committed to sharing hard-won lessons and behind-the-scenes insights as my book comes together—lessons that can inspire real change and spark meaningful conversations. Stay tuned for updates, and let’s build a network of thoughtful leaders. #Leadership #PublicService #Government

#QuestionoftheDay: Which political myth do you see recycled the most—and what’s your go-to correction?

Democrats have a good opportunity this time to flip the script When it comes to what happened to Jimmy Kimmel, I agree it is inappropriate and a clear violation of the First Amendment. What I haven’t…

The #Democrats are currently agitating for Medicaid funding concessions to move a CR forward. That’s fine and good, but #JimmyKimmel’s suspension changes all that on the fly.

@schumer.senate.gov #JohnThune

My thoughts: medium.com/@john.p.mors...

Every student deserves to learn, grow, and thrive in school without the fear of violence.

Growing up as the eldest of 10 in a military family taught me discipline & teamwork—qualities that shaped my approach to #leadership. I discovered that effective leadership isn’t about giving orders, it's about listening, motivating others, & recognizing individual strengths to achieve common goals.

Mr. President, I empathize with you as you watch your friend get buried and quickly forgotten, as those in positions to address the gun violence that took his life don’t. Instead, they offer you their #thoughtsandprayers. I know from members of this sad club how frustrating that is.

I am not a fan of the President, but today I find myself having to offer him my sincerest condolences. On September 10, he joined a club that no one wants to be part of: the club that includes surviving family members and friends of people who have been lost to senseless, preventable gun violence.

#Evergreen, I share the frustration you will no doubt feel as your elected officials do nothing to address this issue while trying to assuage you with their #thoughtsandprayers.

The shooting event in Utah on September 10, 2025, was horrific and unconscionable. Almost as much as the school shooting the same day at #Evergreen High School in Colorado.