We live in a world where everything is for profit. Heck, even religion is being sold for silver and gold. We don’t vote for a person, we vote on propaganda and profit.

What if we change that? Doesn’t the Declaration of Independence tell us that when forms of government and the policies become destructive to the health and happiness of the people, we must change it?

So what if we replaced flashy slogans and speeches and donations with candidates we select based on qualifications and character, just like we do with teachers, therapists, and firemen? Shouldn’t character, experience working with people ethically, while at the same time displaying proper leadership qualities, be the most important factor for our future?

It’s time to write new job descriptions for the representatives we put in charge of OUR country. They need to work for us, not the other way around, and especially not for the aristocrats hiding behind their corporate names that Jefferson warned us about.

And here’s the first requirement: money should not be part of the application process.

Why should candidates have to raise thousands, even millions sometimes, just to be placed on a ballot? In many states in the U.S., there’s a minimum of $5,000 that needs to be raised to even be considered “viable.” Dollars should not determine the outcome of a democracy.

What has happened because of this is that the People are left with choosing between the lesser of two [very expensive, mind you] evils.

Let’s call a spade a spade. Fundraising is marketing, and who can pay for the best rhetoric that money can buy to persuade the people.

We’ve become fools and fakes. Let’s stand up again and tell these people what we want, not the other way around.

So here are the new requirements for all our representative public servants:

• A proven record of community service
• Demonstrated evidence through compassion under pressure
• Verified leadership experience that has benefited the collective, not just themselves
• Ethics as their number one business model, with no history of fraud, coercion, abuse of power, or manipulation for personal gain

For example, teachers are expected to have immaculate backgrounds with expensive degrees and continued learning… are expected to provide for their communities through public service, use their free time to lead clubs at school and charities in their communities, donate their time and money to provide for the children they teach… expected to be team players with the highest moral and ethical standards. They are put through rigorous background checks that they must pay for, all on the lowest amount possible for their compensation from taxpayers’ money.

Why shouldn’t we expect the same processes for the role of President, Senator, or Representative? Why should we entrust nuclear codes, tax systems, global diplomacy, and our well-being to someone who wouldn’t qualify to run a neighborhood nonprofit?

And here’s the kicker: no more fundraising minimums. A person could be nominated by community endorsement, service records, and a digital résumé of real-world impact, not campaign ads or media spin.

No more billionaire candidates with no history of sacrifice.

No more ethically bankrupt dynasties riding on name recognition.

No more ballots filled with polished rhetoric and empty resumes.

Instead, we ask:

• Who has lifted others up when no one was looking?
• Who understands the power of empathy as much as strategy?
• Who leads without needing to be followed?

This isn’t just a dream. This is a redefinition of leadership based on philosophical principles: virtue, justice, service, and truth.

If we implemented a voting system as described above, we wouldn’t have to “settle” for the least corrupt option. We could choose, with pride, someone who has earned the right to lead, not someone who bought it.

It’s time. Rewrite the job qualifications and description. Rethink the system. And reclaim the future.

Love to hear your thoughts.

Let’s philosophize!