Volcanologist, founder @BlueprintEarth, Fellow @explorersclub & @RGS_IBG, host @catastrophepod, science evangelist. Ran for Congress. She/her, they/them. 
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The US political process today is unhealthy. Insiders' views have too much weight, adjustments aren't being made in light of new evidence, that evidence isn't given its due, & money has warped the system to a degree where it's nearly impossible for fresh voices to gain traction.
Political recharge isn't occurring through different types of people entering the system; we see far too many candidates who are beholden to big money donors & strict partisanship. It's nearly impossible for someone w/o an entrenched donor network or private wealth to win a seat.
Lawyers & businesspeople make up 80% of Congress not b/c they're the best at lawmaking, but b/c they can tap sources of money other candidates don't have access to. This means people who want to serve to solve problems from gaining access. Think of who solves problems.
Engineers, plumbers, social workers, scientists, pilots, customer service reps, surgeons, teachers, insurance adjusters, electricians, fire fighters, store managers, etc. They deal w/problems every day, & those skills translate. Teamwork & creative thinking make the difference.
Instead, what we see in most elected officials is the ability to do what their clients (i.e., donors) need them to. They aren't serving us, their constituents. They're serving the almighty dollar. We can fix this, but not overnight. It's going to take all hands on deck.
We need 1) candidates who genuinely care about other people & who have those problem solving skills I mentioned. Empathy, creativity, & passion for teamwork are essential. Lawmakers have teams to help research policy, but no one can help a candidate gain those skills.
2) We need everyone who cares at all about their own future, or thar of their country, their family, & their planet to step the hell up. Grassroots campaigns are how we fight big money, & that means donating & volunteering EARLY & OFTEN. No one else will do this for us.
3) Last, we need to support candidates who aren't joined ball & chain to the system to fight to overturn Citizens United & support publicly-funded elections once they're in office. This will not change unless we dismantle it from within, & we do that by winning grassroots seats.
If you're serious about the call to #resist & being part of #TheResistance, now is the time. Watch candidate forums early. Find the candidates who truly care about others, & who stand courageously behind their convictions. Find candidates who believe in people over profits.
There are still people out there who are running for the right reasons. There are candidates who care, & who won't sell out. There are candidates who can bring a wave of positive change to our nation. Find them. support the hell out of them. We can do this. Our country needs us.#
When you make your successful run for POTUS in a few years, remember that voter reform needs to be made a top priority.
Sadly, voter reform needs to come from Congress and from the Supreme Court. Though she could press those policies with the bully pulpit.
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