Let's talk about how our system of government allows a treasonous lobby for gun manufacturers to endanger literally everyone by owning our politicians. 1/
Last year I was approached about running for Congress by the Democratic Party. I thought about it. My congressman Rick Allen is a total failure and embarrassment and I think I know how to beat him. 2/
Here's what I was told: I'd need at least a million ($1,000,000) in contributions to be competitive. That's to even make the race a close one. If I wanted to win, it would probably take over two million ($2,000,000). 3/
I thought about the possibilities. Maybe I could use make it a national campaign, get small donations, see what was out there. But you know what happened? Days after I started considering? The emails came. 4/
Suddenly every special interest group wanted to have a conversation. These were left-leaning groups who wanted to get together and discuss my positions, but also, obviously, to see how I could be a friend to their cause. 5/
For a Democrat, the system necessitates you bring together a broad coalition of these groups. They don't have the money of, oh, I don't know, the NRA. 6/
So here's what happens. The moment you start running, you start bringing together these donors. You need 1 to 2 million to win. Let's say somehow you're able to not only weave them together but also run a successful campaign - well, it's just starting. 7/
The moment you get in office you have to pay off all the old debts while weaving together new ones. You need to get the money to run the next time, and you have to consider that whoever you're going to run against is out there already earning. 8/
Oh. But here's the thing. Not only are you running against that person, but if you didn't take NRA money, you're now running against them too. Anyone who doesn't take their money is now on their enemies' list, meaning you have to spend against them too. 9/
For Republicans, the NRA is base-level business. They'll give to you and your primary opponent. You have to take that money to simply be in the race or else you're miles behind. And once you have that money, you're in their pocket for the rest of your life. 10/
Money in politics is a cancer. It opens the door for people to sell themselves and never vote their conscience. Go back and watch Rubio last night. He's stuck between two masters. His constituents, who he knows he should serve, and the NRA. 11/
These donors have corroded our system. They need removed from the process, and let me tell you this: there are many, many, many politicians who would be happy to be rid of fundraising. It's the worst part of their jobs. 12/
There are those who get into this to make money. Our system is built for them now. It inspires them to run because it's a get-rich scheme. But there are politicians who would get behind this in a second if only to get the monkey off their backs. 13/
The approach in this debate should be multi-faceted. Get the assault rifles off the street, keep the heat on the NRA, and push campaign-finance reform at the same time. If politicians see these things happening all at once they'd be less afraid of the NRA. 14/
The writing is on the wall. If this continues, the NRA loses. Period. We just can't forget about this or let the heat die down. If we don't go back to regular life, we can change this thing, and get our government back, for good. 15/15
