1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I get about a dozen texts a day asking for money. They come with urgent messages, telling me that if they don’t raise enough money we will be stuck in an authoritarian dictatorship forever. Or they tell me that donating to this one person running for office will save us. I think you understand what I’m trying to say. They are always worded to trigger as much panic as possible. And they supposedly come from some of my favorite elected officials. Even if I had $25 to donate, how would I know where to give it? They’re all so critical. On top of that, these texts come from marketing companies that the organizations hire and the majority of the money goes to them. So, although I once donated to candidates and causes I no longer do. I wouldn’t even know where to begin. I see this whole money game as massive corruption. Draining us of our resources, while we struggle to pay our bills and cover the costs of our own basic needs. Other countries don’t do this. It truly nauseates me. Instead I volunteer to get out the vote by writing postcards to people in swing states and swing districts. I also work on a personal level to be kind to people in my community and if I do give money it’s directly to a homeless person or a large tip to a server. Please, please, please get money out of politics. Millions of Americans feel this way. It is deeply poisoning our system.