It's got no place in democratic elections. Letting Archer Daniels Midland act as campaign supermarket to the Congress comes with a very steep, if indirect, price. It's bankrupting us in more ways than one. And the problem, frankly, is not the Republican Party or the Democratic Party. It is hard to imagine a clearer conflict of interest.
Access can lead to influence, which can lead to a policy result.
This can be an amendment that is pushed, a regulatory ruling, a contract, or special attention from a Cabinet officer. Virtually all of this the public doesn't see and, frankly, unless someone is very indiscreet, it's hard to prove. People will say, of course, that they made the decision on the merits. Energy Department official John Carter Don't be such a Girl Scout. Carter wanted Heslin to ease up on her objections to allowing Ultra Fat Cat contributor Roger Tamraz to meet with President Clinton.