Our Democracy Has Been Bought. Here’s How We Take It Back.
This isn’t about Republicans or Democrats. It’s about power—who holds it, who’s losing it, and how to stop being exploited by a system rigged against ordinary Americans.
Money doesn’t just influence politics—it owns it. Lobbyists, billionaires and corporations now decide elections, write legislation, and choose winners before a single vote is cast. The following indicates that House and Senate incumbents had to raise approximately $713,000 and $2,200,000, respectively, from PAC’s, Lobbyists and their political party in the 2024 election.
Since the 2010 Citizens United decision, corporate money has flooded every level of government.
The result? A democracy that’s being hollowed out from the inside.
Congress isn’t broken. It’s captured. And it won’t fix itself.
What’s Gone Wrong?
Runaway Inequality
Since 1980, wage inequality has exploded. CEOs rake in hundreds of times what average workers earn. Housing costs are breaking family budgets. The middle class is shrinking.
Corporate Control of Elections
The Citizens United ruling in 2010 opened the floodgates to unlimited outside spending by corporations, unions, and the ultra-wealthy—drowning out the voice of the people.
No Accountability
Congress now answers to donors, not voters. Both parties chase the same money. The result? Laws that benefit the wealthy—regardless of who’s in power.
Disconnect of Priorities Among Income Groups
In 2024, Pew Research found that large majorities of Americans consider the economy (73–89%), inflation (65–70%), and health care (63–80%) top national priorities. However, high-income individuals were less concerned, with only 75% prioritizing the economy, 50% inflation, and 55% health care—highlighting a gap in urgency between income groups.
Other Disillusionment
Calls for “better leaders” or new reforms fall flat because the system is fundamentally rigged—like a casino where the house always wins. Changing the dealers won’t fix the game. Only cutting off the money will.
Democracy is on the Brink
People are losing faith. They’re working longer hours, for less. Many feel left behind—and some are turning to dangerous alternatives: authoritarianism, extremism, even abandoning democracy altogether.
The Solution: “VOTEM ALL OUT”
A bold, nonpartisan campaign to remove the root cause of corruption in Congress—money.
I’m William E. Bardwell, MBA, co-author of Validating Truth in the Era of Misinformation and Fake News. Drawing on the same commitment to evidence and independent thinking, I’m launching the Votem ALL Out campaign to restore democracy by ending the stranglehold of money in federal politics.
Our demands:
Publicly funded federal elections
Ban all other campaign contributions—corporate, union, lobbyist, PAC, Super PAC, and individual wealth
If Congress doesn’t act by September 2026, vote out every sitting member—regardless of party
Simple. Clear. Powerful. If they won’t fix it, we’ll replace them.
How Publicly Funded Elections Would Work:
Candidates qualify by gathering a set number of signatures
Once qualified, each receives equal public funding
No private donations. No PACs. No dark money.
Funds can only be used for campaign purposes
Leftover funds go back to the government
Free public forums hosted by state and local governments
Media encouraged to provide equal and fair coverage
This system levels the playing field, empowers qualified citizens to run, and frees elected officials to focus on governing—not fundraising.
What You Can Do Right Now
We don’t need signatures yet—but we do need support:
1. Share This Message
Send it to friends, family, and anyone who’s tired of being ignored by Congress. Post it on social media. Spread the word.
2. Start the Conversation
Ask your state representatives where they stand on publicly funded elections—and share their responses.
3. Stay in Touch
Email me directly with questions, ideas, support or if you’d like me to speak at an event or work together: validatingtruth@gmail.com
In Summary:
Rising inequality. Economic instability. Misinformation. Growing distrust. Democracy is faltering, and the American Dream is slipping away—not because of partisan division, but because Congress has been bought.
We don’t have time to wait. Congress won’t reform itself. And any “solution” coming from a rigged system may only make things worse.
We must speak out—clearly, urgently, and together—about how money has corrupted democracy and how voters can reclaim it.
Like FDR’s fireside chats, this movement must educate, unite, and inspire.
I call on all Americans—citizens, community leaders, faith groups, students, media, and even members of Congress—to join us.
Let’s demand publicly funded elections by 2026. And if Congress fails, let’s be ready to do what they fear most:
Vote. Them. All. Out.
Thank you.
With determination,
William E. Bardwell, MBA
validatingtruth@gmail.com
Votem All Out”
Only Way - Restore Democracy and Reclaim American Dream in 2026
By William E. Bardwell, MBA, validatingtruth@gmail.com
Co-author: “Validating Truth in the Era of Misinformation and Fake News”
The Story of Congressional Money Raised for 2024 Election
The Story of Pay Inequality
(The lower Blue line represents the Pay for the Bottom 90% since 1980)