Major takeaway from running for Congress: Unless we reform campaign finance laws to eliminate dark money, the people we get to vote for will continue to largely be the last people we want to hold office.
The system is a runaway train, & it's plowing over honest, good people.
The system is a runaway train, & it's plowing over honest, good people.
If you want to see what's driving the passage of legislation, follow the money trail. Lobbyists can serve a purpose in educating lawmakers about niche issues, but the way money is thrown around has corrupted that function of the role.
In order to raise enough money to run a legitimate, viable campaign, you need a network of wealth to tap into. The chicken/egg scenario at its worst. You have to have money to get endorsements, & you have to have endorsements to raise money. How does that work if you have a job?
I was only able to run because Carlos makes enough on his own to cover our living costs. Still, it wasn't easy. Now imagine doing that if you're a single parent, or you work two jobs, or you have massive student debt. It's not going to happen. There are so many voices we miss.
I'm sick of seeing so few nominees make it through who don't have those entrenched wealthy networks. Change for our country starts with a targeted, loud push for campaign finance reform. This has to be a priority. They don't say money is the root of all evil for nothing.
This doesn't mean dying on the Bernie vs Hillary hill. This means voting for the people in your community who, at the very least, stand against those who hurt others. Once they're elected or re-elected, exert constant pressure on them to enact meaningful campaign finance reform.
Politics is disgusting. We can clean it up. We can make it better. It starts with leveling the playing field. If some people can't even get into the stadium, do you really think they'll want to vote in the game? No. Self-disenfranchisement happens because politics is exclusive.
Take the time to speak with someone who doesn't vote about the importance of their participation. Explain that nothing will change overnight, but little by little we can erode the foundation of money in politics. Voting is our most important strategy. Deploy it all over, & often.
