This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Don't be fooled into believing the recent election was a referendum on the influence of money in our electoral system. The Democrats were lucky to win. Despite an influx of big Republican money, the Democrats raised as much and had a charismatic, national candidate who tapped into a strong, populist sentiment.
The rules are still the same. Our government remains as corrupt as ever.
Because winning elections is so expensive, our members of Congress must fundraise at every opportunity. So, everyone who plays the influence game pays.
For an audience with a member of Congress, one typically has to contribute. Those with deeper pockets can better afford to pay, allowing them more influence than ordinary citizens.
With favorable votes on tax, regulatory and trade policies — and ski area development schemes — the millions invested in influencing Congress are worth billions in return to special interests.
With the election frenzy over, it's time to clean up. For the country to, again, be run for the common good, and not just for business and special interests, we citizens must insist upon meaningful campaign finance reform, overturn the Citizens United Supreme Court decision and adopt effective term limits.
John Kennington
Cottonwood Heights