With elections just around the corner, I challenge each of us to find and vote for those candidates willing to create meaningful change in politics. Our system is broken, and we all know it. Big money buys elections, and we all know it. The people’s voice in democracy has been gagged, and we all know it.

Big-money interests have their own agenda, many times placing profits over the well-being of people, health, the environment, jobs and education. Our local and national elected officials respond to the demands of the big money (both corporate and union) who bankroll their campaigns. It is the elephant in the room that prevents meaningful political progress for the American people.

Before the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling (which gave freedom of speech to artificial entities), you could say our political system was subject to undue influence from big money. After the Citizens United ruling it is more along the lines of obscene influence.

Does your candidate support regulating big money in politics? Does your candidate support a constitutional amendment to reclaim civil rights for the people and reverse Citizens United? These could be the most important questions of this campaign. Ask them.

Stacy Cossey

Valleyford