The world would be a better place if government decisions were made without reference to who has written a check or who has hired a politician's former aide.
The constant referrals in the news media to checks being written and aides being hired is appalling. 
mnli hypothesis: The constant referrals in the news media to checks being written and aides being hired is appalling.  premise: The world would be a better place if government decisions were made without reference to who has written a check or who has hired a politician's former aide.