“The bottom line is we have very serious problems with the functioning of our democracy caused by the unrestrained flow of influence-seeking money into the elections,” Mr. Wertheimer said. But the idea that the rich are getting richer while everyone else falls behind is becoming more prevalent in the United States. “Huge amounts of money are not being given for charitable purposes, but to obtain benefits.”The American system’s addiction to money has other noxious side effects. Throwing around money is the American way. But that doesn’t mean that the threat to a healthy democratic system isn’t real, Mr. Wertheimer said.

Source: New York Times September 20, 2017 18:45 UTC