The Reform Party seems to have attempted a top-down building process that doesn't provide for any sort of state and local network. If the Reform Party is going to become mainstream, it needs a platform, of sorts, and local organization. The top-down accusation could not be further from reality. Each of the states have elected regional representatives to the national executive committee, and each state has delegates to the national convention which creates the national platform and elects the national leadership. It's the system that's corrupt.
Money drives everything.
It certainly drives what candidates people see in advertisements. The only thing the Reform Party has to stand on is integrity, and that relies upon the integrity of individuals. As a policy, Reform Party candidates accept only personal contributions, and the Reform Party does not accept soft money in any way, shape or form. Ultimately, the integrity of the party relies upon the vigilance and self-policing of the members and officers of the party. No question, integrity puts you at a distinct disadvantage to the Republicans and Democrats who are willing to trample integrity for the benefit of expediency.