We the People

"We the People" is one of the most compelling declarations that defines our democracy.  It is "our" government, and those we elect to do the business of America should be our best and brightest. They should also remember that they are elected to serve. "We the People" represent the collective interests for a strong Nation with a clearly defined future for all.

We the People deserve better from our government.  Apparently Evan Bayh thinks so, too.  Our government is in a broken state right now, and the reason is evident: We the People are electing representatives (House and Senate) who are more interested in looking out for their own interests than ours or what’s best for the Nation, working harder to get re-elected than getting America working.  Bad people?  No.  It’s a bad system, a system created and sustained by special interests with a lot of money.

If insiders (like Sen. Bayh and others) know the system is broken, if they know they can't get anything done, why don't they fix it?  It's a good question that has a disquietingly bad answer: Congress will not take the steps to fix the system because it is simply not in each member's individual interest to do so.  It's just too risky a political proposition because his or her seat would become too vulnerable.

It will take courage for sure to stand up for campaign finance reform, for a better system that doesn’t require a candidate (incumbent or not) to spend so much time and energy raising money—time and energy that should be spent on debating and developing solutions to the serious problems our Nation faces.

"We the People" deserve better, but we won't get it until we force Congress to address campaign finance reform.   And we won't get it as long as we are willing to support any candidate who is not openly in favor of campaign finance reform.