The Wrong Direction

• During President James Madison's time no one openly campaigned
• John Quincy Adams said "I will not take one step to promote the pretensions for the Presidency."
• Truman, 1948, passed his hat for money to get to the next train stop
• President Carter took matching federal funds for campaigning
• $5.3 billion spent in the 2012 national elections: Obama $1.1 billion, Romney $1.2 billion

Results

• Many with high integrity and brilliant minds do not seek office because of the confluence of politics and money
• We are left with a dysfunctional democracy

“Never Doubt

...That a small group of thoughtful citizens will change the world.
Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”
-Margaret Mead