Gillers outlines certain factors to consider when attempting to ascertain if that quacking you hear is really coming from a duck. The beneficiary of the legislator's help is a large contributor. Such actions raise more doubts, for example, than a form letter from an aide. The size of the group the legislator's help will benefit is relatively small. There is little reason to doubt a lawmaker's independence if an action will benefit a million consumers, more reason if it will profit a small group of generous supporters, and more reason still is assistance for those generous supporters comes at the expense of the million consumers.
Questionable conduct occurs on a regular basis.
There is considerably less inclination to give a legislator the benefit of the doubt if we see repeated actions that suggest improper motives. It is an affront to the integrity of elected officials to suggest their votes are bought by their contributors.