In politics, the cream doesn't always rise to the top.

Isn’t it time we choose our nation’s leaders based on their experience, their ideas and, well, their leadership ability? We think so. That’s why we’re so alarmed at the influence of big money on the current elections.

We’re sure that many of our best leaders don’t even bother to run, because they aren’t wealthy or don’t have access to big money. And it sure seems obvious that big money affects the outcome of the races.

But the really frightening part of this is that, once in office, our leaders appear to be beholden to the big money that helped them get elected.

Sadly it’s gotten to the point that most Americans believe the system is completely corrupt. What’s even more troubling is that most Americans decided long ago that their leaders are no longer representing their interests.

Public funding of elections would change this once and for all. Congress could publicly fund all federal elections––the White House, the House of Representatives and the Senate––for just $6 per citizen per year. When you consider that pork barrel spending cost each of us more than $200 last year alone, it’s no contest.

Learn how you can help by visiting our friends at Americans for Campaign Reform.

Winning Essays for Fair Elections Action Week Contest!