Providing tools and resources for taking action to our network of citizen leaders across the nation is one of the most important functions of American Promise. Our Empowerment Team works diligently to ensure that our volunteers have what they need to move the 28th Amendment forward in their communities, states, and at the federal level.

Chris McDonald is our newest empowerment coordinator. In the above Q&A, he talks shares his thoughts on money in politics and why he chose to join American Promise’s movement to fix our campaign finance system.

One of the main reasons Chris joined us is because he realizes that political gridlock is a consequence of unlimited political spending.

“In my opinion, money in politics is one of the big reasons why there is such gridlock and stagnation in both our local and national politics today,” he said. “So many people feel like things are not getting done whether in their state capitals or D.C.”

He points out that the tidal wave of money in politics has not just affected major national elections but has made its way into local elections, which should be the most acutely impacted by constituents, not wealthy donors.

“It’s almost like legalized bribery. When you have these extremely wealthy, extremely powerful special interest groups and individuals that are giving money not just to members of Congress but also folks on your school board, folks on the city council, folks in your state legislature, they are more apt to be working for these very powerful individuals and corporations than they are for people. And that’s a big problem,” he said.

Watch the full Q&A above for more of Chris’s thoughts and to learn how he will help American Promise and its network of citizen leaders achieve our goals.