RE: Conclusion: Individual Reflections

[David Wilkinson <dwilkinson@nisdc.org>]

Without reviewing all of the posts, or honestly, most of the posts, I do get a sense of an underlying assumption that elected officials are easily influenced.  Financial contributions, especially large one, are assumed to be corrupting on individual officials and ultimately the system itself.

I believe there is some truth to that.  I wonder what our governmental system would be like if it worked without those financial contributions.  How would our government operations be different?  In what ways would governmental decisions be different?

Also, I wonder how our perspectives from a socio-economic class perspective affect our own view.  If one has more money, does it seem more appropriate to share it with candidates tha if one doesn't?

Some thoughts.