Let me add some beautifully twisted logic to illustrate further why a candidate would want to sign this contract.
We all know there are some good people in politics, decent human beings who truly want to do the right thing. But politics is often more about power, money, twisting arms, bullying, than about doing what's good for the people. So let's say our candidate -- who has signed the contract -- arrives in Washington and right off the bat, there's some lobbyist at his door. The lobbyist gives his pitch, the typical let's-see-what-we-can-do-here, the usual I'll-scratch-your-back-if-you'll-scratch-my-back blah blah blah. He's got some mega transnational corporation paying him big bucks to wax the slide with Congress and get some favorable legislation passed. Well, here's the beauty of the contract: Our guy, the one who got elected because he signed on the dotted line with you the voters, can say: "Hey, I sure appreciate your coming in and talking to me about this. But here's the deal. I'm under contract to my constituents. I have no room to negotiate, no room to trade or bargain on any of this. If I go against my constituents on this, I'll be on the streets without this job, I'll have to refund all my campaign contributions -- and hey, the money is spent, how will I begin to do that? -- and I'll probably get my ass sued for more money than I'll make in a lifetime. So even if I wanted to go along with what you're proposing, I have no choice. I am legally-bound by contract to answer only to those who voted me into office. Thanks for stopping by. Don't let the door hit you on the way out."
See how this works? See why this introduces an unprecedented level of honesty, transparency, integrity, back into voting? Do you see why at least in terms of good, decent, honest politicians, we're actually doing THEM a favor with this contract.
Okay, I've talked your ear off. Let me wrap this up.
Yes, the candidate contract is a new innovation. But it's a necessary innovation. Before there were cars, we didn't need traffic lights. Before big money and unprecedented concentration of wealth and power into the hands of a ruling elite, we didn't need an enforceable contract with our elected officials. Times change and we need to change with it. Candidate contracts are the answer to the dismal state of our democracy.
Granted, we have a lot of work to do to repair the mess we're in. But good work depends on good dependable workers. Let's put some real public servants in office who will serve the public, not just the rich and powerful. Let's put some representatives in Congress who will represent everyday Americans, not Wall Street banks, corporate CEOs, not the incomprehensibly rich. Let's put some integrity back into our elections by electing only those with the integrity to sign on the dotted line, guaranteeing they will work for you in creating an America that works again for everyone.
Here is the link to look at the version of the candidate contract for a progressive running for the House of Representatives: Candidate Contract - An American Renewal.
If you're interested in getting into the real details of an independent campaign using the candidate contract strategy -- and it is an entire electoral strategy, not just a slip of paper with some legalese -- I recommend reading the two books which got me noticed by the progressive activist groups now adopting the candidate contract for future campaigns, e.g. the highly regarded Revolt Against Plutocracy.
Candidate Contracts: Taking Back Our Democracy was published in June of 2015 and is available worldwide from all the usual suspects.
Fighting for the Democracy We Deserve was published September 2015 and also is available both in every popular ebook format and as a deluxe paperback.
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