Why is politics as a candidate difficult in the United States?

I want to be on the ballot, but that's difficult in my area.

If you run for President and want to be in the presidential debates, you'd have to be in all 50 states on the ballot, meet all the constitutional requirements, and some other criterion that I forgot.

Any idea why politics is hard in the United States as a candidate?

Quote from TheHeretic

You need the backing of one of the two major parties - and neither of them like outsiders. The old warmongering Republican party despised Trump from day one, because he was a former Democrat and not one of the Old Boys. Eventually, he crushed that party and now wears it as a suit - but he wouldn't have been able to do that if he wasn't a billionaire.

Bring a few million dollars of your own money and you can get on the ballot, too - no problem.

Otherwise, the best way in is to work for a party as a volunteer, first - and build a reputation for competence. There isn't much of that out there these days - especially on the Democrat side where it's all Cluster B personality disorders, all the time - so if you just know how to get things done you have a chance to stand out right away.

I want to be mayor, and every candidate for mayor of my city is nonpartisan. Only 100 bucks from the campaign account for the qualifying fee (qualifying as in qualifying for the ballot), and 1,900 bucks for the election assessment fee (which can be waived fortunately).

Quote from TheHeretic

There is no such thing. Local offices are often listed as nonpartisan, but every single winner is allied and affiliated with one of the two major parties.

I am a nonpartisan potential candidate for mayor (potential as in I need to pay the qualifying fee to become an actual candidate) by Florida law.

If I had to choose one of the two major parties, I'd choose Republican regardless if I win or not.

TheHeretic What do you think about the candidates who lose? They are also affiliated with a political party regardless if they're nonpartisan by law or not.

TheHeretic What do you think is a good thing to do while running for mayor?

Quote from xPaulettex

Its sad but its all about money, if your a regular person you will have a mountain to get over to get on a ballot.

The money part is difficult only because not all banks do political campaign accounts (they're required for the contributions, expenditures, etc). The political campaign account is the part I'm struggling with.