#TheProblemWithPolitics is that the kind of people willing to run for office aren't the kind of people we need in office.* I saw this up close & personal, & it's even more ugly than you think. We need elected officials who mentor the next generation.
*With rare exceptions.
*With rare exceptions.
At the federal level, we keep sending professional fundraisers to office who are in it for ego or other selfish reasons. At the state & local level, people are consumed by grabbing & retaining power or territory. The larger purpose of serving is far too often lost.
Want to make money have less of a role in elections (assuming we don't overturn #CitizensUnited right away)? Local party orgs should establish a reasonable fundraising threshold candidates have to meet to be considered for endorsement, & then not consider money beyond that.
Elections need to be about ideas and galvanizing people to take action and engage, not big money-fests. We CAN push back against this pay-to-play system, & until we do we'll keep having elected officials who have no grit, no spine, & are indebted to everyone but their community.
Demand your candidates have real platforms. Demand that they have ideas, & courage to stand up for principles that matter. Talking points aren't going to cut it anymore. We can & must do better. We don't need perfect elected officials but we do need people who are honest & just.
That means people who won't quake at the thought of taking an unpopular stance. That means coming up with visionary solutions to real problems, not just checking boxes to bring in dollars. That means demanding more of our candidates, so more people are included in the process.
I'm sick & tired of political bullshit. I ran for Congress for 415 days. I never compromised my principles just to make a buck. I never sold out, so I could be true to the grassroots campaign I thought was right. I didn't win, but there are others out there who can.
Don't believe the hype about someone. Meet your candidates in person if you can. Ask them questions. See if they're willing to invest in you with their time, their empathy, & their ideas. If we want to kick hate, racism, misogyny, & bigotry to the curb, we need genuine vision.
One of my favorite chants from the protests I've heard is this: "The people, united, can never be divided."
Bring it back to the people, America. It's time to live up to our potential. We can be our best selves.
Power to the people, now & forever. #
Bring it back to the people, America. It's time to live up to our potential. We can be our best selves.
Power to the people, now & forever. #
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