01

Broken Incentives

Elected officials are incentivized to prioritize:

• Fundraising over policy-making
• Party loyalty over public interest
• Reelection over long-term solutions

With each election cycle, these priorities are reinforced by the need to survive politically rather than serve meaningfully.

02

Dependence on Donors

Campaigns are expensive. Politicians depend on large donations from powerful interests — the very entities they are supposed to regulate. This fosters:

• Policy bias toward donors
• Delayed or watered-down reforms
• A culture of "access for money"

03

The Career Pipeline

For many, public office is not the culmination of service — it's a stepping stone to a lucrative career in lobbying, consulting, or corporate boards. This anticipation:

• Weakens oversight and regulation
• Erodes public trust
• Makes elected officials beholden to future employers

04

Electoral Gatekeeping

The current system protects incumbents and limits choices:

• Gerrymandered districts