He and leaders of both parties have promised to revamp campaign finance in the new Congress. Yet if the past is any guide, advocates of a revamp may go around in circles again. Meanwhile, money keeps driving a wedge between politicians and voters. People naturally get suspicious when candidates raise several times the salary they can expect to earn in office, from contributors who may be affected by their official decisions. Cindy Watts, an interior designer from Palmetto, Fla., wonders what difference a person like herself can make.
Many politicians say they have no love for the system, either.
But only a small proportion of Americans make political contributions. Most contributors share a candidate's political ideas. But others give to gain leverage over the legislative process. If an individual or interest group succeeds in getting a favor from Congress in exchange for political contributions, the rest of us usually pick up the tab. For example, a tax break for a large industry ultimately is paid for by all other taxpayers, since the government has to make up the revenue somewhere else.