[utford]

It pretty much is bribery - but it seems most people miss the real problem. As long as the government is going to legislate in all areas of life, people and organizations are going to have incentive to try and influence that legislation, through a variety of means (including contributions/bribes). If the government were to fit within their constitutionally prescribed role, this problem would be highly reduced - the incentive to contribute would no longer exist.

[Spartan79]

It pretty much is bribery - but it seems most people miss the real problem. As long as the government is going to legislate in all areas of life, people and organizations are going to have incentive to try and influence that legislation, through a variety of means (including contributions/bribes). If the government were to fit within their constitutionally prescribed role, this problem would be highly reduced - the incentive to contribute would no longer exist.

Very true. The founders thought that the powers granted to the federal government they created were so effectively circumscribed by the Constitution that it wouldn't't really matter very much who won federal elections.

[TurboZamboni]

AMEN!

[escapefromboston]

While true enough, who could be elected to “reduce” the size of government? The money is always going to be on the big government side.