Take Back Control — How We Fix a Rigged System

No one should have to buy a seat at the table in a country founded on liberty and justice for all.

That’s the promise we were raised to believe in—that this is a nation where everyone has a voice, where the government works for “We the People,” not just the wealthy, not just the well-connected.

But let’s be honest: it doesn’t feel like that anymore.

It feels like Washington takes care of its donors and lobbyists first—and working Americans last. Whether you live in a small town or a big city, whether you vote red or blue, most of us can agree: the system is rigged in favor of the rich and powerful.

The good news? We can fix it. But first, we have to understand how money is twisting the system—and then take action to stop it.

Step One: Shine a Light on Who’s Pulling the Strings

If someone’s spending millions to influence our votes or laws, we should know who they are. Period.

Right now, billionaires and political insiders use “dark money” groups to hide their names behind bland-sounding organizations—things like “Americans for Freedom” or “Citizens for Prosperity.” These groups run attack ads, push bills, and sway elections—and no one knows who’s funding them.

That’s not democracy. That’s deception.

We need full transparency. No more hiding behind loopholes. If you want to influence an election, your name should be on the record. As the Bible says, “For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open” (Luke 8:17).

This isn’t a left or right issue—it’s right versus wrong.

Step Two: Break the Insider Money Cycle

It’s no secret that D.C. runs on connections. But did you know members of Congress and their staff often leave public service and immediately become lobbyists—sometimes for the very industries they were supposed to regulate?

That’s called the revolving door, and it’s spinning faster than ever.

We need real rules that say: If you serve the public, you shouldn’t be allowed to cash in on that service for years after you leave. And no more campaign donations from lobbyists while they’re trying to sway laws. Public servants should work for the people—not for a paycheck from Big Pharma or Wall Street.

Step Three: Put Elections Back in the Hands of the People

Right now, running for office is so expensive that many good people never even try. That leaves us with millionaires—or people backed by millionaires.

But some states are trying a better way:

• Maine and Arizona offer public campaign financing, where candidates can run competitive races without begging rich donors for help.

• Seattle gives every voter “democracy vouchers” they can use to support the candidate of their choice—no PACs required.

• New York City matches small donations 8-to-1, giving local voters more say than big-dollar outsiders.

These programs work. They boost voter participation, diversify the candidate pool, and reduce the influence of wealthy donors.

Imagine if more elections were won by ideas, not by ad budgets.

Step Four: What We Can Do—Right Now

This country doesn’t belong to billionaires. It belongs to us.

Here’s how we take it back:

• Vote in primaries—that’s where many decisions are made.

• Support candidates who reject PAC money and pledge to serve their constituents, not their funders.

• Call your representatives and ask: “Do you support campaign finance reform and transparency?”

• Talk about this with friends, at church, at work—because the more people understand how the money works, the harder it is for the powerful to keep hiding it.

And most importantly: don’t give up.

Conclusion: The System’s Rigged, But It’s Not Broken

Corruption isn’t new in America. But neither is reform. We’ve faced crooked politicians before. We’ve faced unfair systems before. And we’ve changed them—by organizing, by voting, by demanding better.

We can do it again.

Because this nation was never meant to be bought and sold. It was meant to be governed by the people. And as long as we still care—as long as we still show up—it’s not too late to make that promise real again.

“Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.” — Amos 5:24

Let’s make it so.