Politicians!

To all aspiring politicians, remember your reasons for wanting to run for office, for they will be tested very soon after election. You will be entering an arena that is owned by the uber-rich, and they will make every attempt to sway you to their cause. Should you choose to do so, you do it at your own risk, because then you will become just another one of the people you swear you're not. Money corrupts, and there is plenty of it there for the right people. I am proud to be one of 20 independents running for office in Maine. If we can be elected, we stand a very good chance of changing the status quo, by presenting and viewing ideas and solutions in a brighter light. In doing so, we can possibly change the way governing is done. For the people and not the individuals!
To our present politicians. Whether you like for me to say it or not, most of you have been corrupted already by the system of carrot and stick. You may not think you are, but unless you truly work for the people who elected you to office, you have joined the corrupt system. A system where you are forced by your leaders to make countless phone calls to wealthy donors, spending a large portion of OUR time soliciting donations for the next election cycle. Basing your votes on what the party leaders tell you to. I have seen very few buck that trend, for fear of being primaried and defeated at the polls so you don't get that luxurious pension and lose your prestige.
Public Service is supposed to be just that, Public Service!
It doesn't have to be this way! You can pass campaign finance reform, re-introduce the Fairness Doctrine, publicly financed campaigns whereby qualified candidates who stand no chance under the present system DO stand a chance.
Stop the revolving door of politicians becoming lobbyists and lobbyists becoming politicians. Overturn Citizens United!
In any system where it takes millions of dollars to be elected,  several things occur. Unless those millions come from small donations, whereby you owe no allegiance to any one or several individuals, you stand a chance of having an actual allegiance to the people who gave those donations to you. USE IT!
If you take huge donations from a few select individuals, they expect a return on their investment, because that's exactly what it is, an investment, meant to procure favorable decisions on your part!
I personally have taken no donations at this point. If I take any in the future, they will be small and personal, with no expectations of reward. That is just the way I roll!
May peace be with you all!
#Resist2018 dennismoconnor.com