That's very fair... and I'm not really surprised that so many people get financially destroyed by the process.

It shouldn't take lots of personal money to be a public servant though, the US government pays so many people, why would legislators be paid so much less than say, any other government worker. It's kind of crazy that people who impact the most people in the country don't get paid for their efforts.

If you win your seat, everyone should be paid a proper wage by the Government, and if you lose, then your party covers your costs.

I don't think the parties would not spend the money that got donated to the party instead of individual candidates... they still need to spend that money to get their people elected... but removes the risk of candidates 'owing' a group or corporation anything.

It also means that smaller parties could throw all their donated money behind one or two key seats (depending on their available finances) and help break up the destructive duopoly of the Dems and Repubs.