Politics-- "A Bloodless War"

For so many years now, people have said to me, "Cynthia, you just HAVE to run for political office." And I've always responded by saying, "Can't sell my soul, thanks..." But I work so much with politicians with my full-time volunteer job as a leader and spokesperson helping all women with chronic pain --and when I watch a lot of these folk in action, I think, "Hmmmm, I would be good at that."

So when Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed my California RSD Education Bill last October, a bill that if signed would have saved hundreds of thousands from a life of excruciating pain, depression and disability-- I knew it was time for me to run.

Through my work, I've learned so much about the healthcare system in this country-- and specifically, the gaps that prevent access for those who need healthcare the most. And I'm forever frustrated that the government doesn't step in to help. So I decided I would run a campaign where I wouldn't sell my soul whatever the outcome. I've learned a lot so far... and it isn't pretty....

In politics, you can't trust ANYONE. Everyone betrays everyone-- and the winners are those who raise the most money. It's just that simple, the Golden Rule--"He with the most Gold, Rules...." This is quite disturbing to me as I realize most no professional politician truly cares for his/her constituents-- but is instead, carrying out the favors for the special interests who put them in office. And making deals for their next gig. Just look where this has brought our country... It's very hard for me to say I'm proud to be an American...

I was speaking with a journalist recently about these issues-- the betrayals, the money grubbing, ANYTHING to win office... and she called politics a "bloodless war." WOW-- that hit hard because she hit the target. I've already dealt with some of these slings and arrows-- and I simply refuse to play the game. To me, this is everything that's wrong with politics.

So I run my campaign cleanly. I do not take money for favors, and I do not bad-mouth or betray my opponents. I am a citizen who cares deeply about the health of the people in the 42nd District -- and every human being. So interesting how that authenticity is such a threat and so foreign to our familiar political system-- and how sad.

I last week spoke with another truly genuine candidate in a different district. This remarkable man blew my socks off... because he actually CARES. But his reality is that he can't even get endorsements from the same organizations he represents-- one even invited him to sit on their Board. But they ALWAYS endorse the ones with the money. Even though they like this gentleman much better... this is dirty politics, folks.

Over the years and decades, I've always asked my partner, John, "Why is it that nice people never run for politics?" And now I have the answer. Nice people do run for politics-- they just get frozen out as they cannot get endorsements because they will not make promises for money. T'would be me....

Yesterday, I sat in my wheelchair at the Studio City Farmer's Market to talk with the fine folk of the 42nd Assembly District. I was amazed at how much support I got from them. They loved my platform-- many of them shared their botched-healthcare stories... they truly appreciated my putting so much energy into a campaign intentionally short on cash, but genuinely long on heart.

But isn't that what politics is supposed to be about-- SERVING THE PEOPLE???? Where did we lose that notion?? And why are politicians paid so much?? If I were to win the State Assembly seat I'm running for, I would make $110,000 to serve. To me, that's obscene and corrupt. Wouldn't a lot of this money be better spent if the winners chose to give a good deal of it to a needy social program or charity?

So I guess I'm a different breed of politician. I subscribe to Paul Wellstone's notion that politics should exist for the soul reason to better peoples lives. And I know that most people deep down believe the same... but somewhere along the line this train has left its tracks... I ask that people fight the norm, believe in their gut instincts, be fearless-- support and vote for politicians who care about them, who lack the dollar signs and "name recognition." Because the names you continue to see on a thousand signs, billboards, commercials-- must belong to the special interests that procured them.

Try to dig deeper-- and learn about those other less-familiar names on your sample ballot. That's where Democracy still lives...

And as for this "bloodless war", I say, "no thank you"-- there are already too many wars waging.

Peace.