Participation

One thing I really hate are all the fake scandals about "outside money." Campaign finance laws are quite the tricky thing and whatever the intent behind them they do end up making it harder for some people to participate in the political process. And participation is a good thing. I don't mean this is a slam on Obama - all the candidates will play these games - but I thought this quote was dead on.

And top union officials who support Obama’s rivals are in turn accusing the Illinois Democrat, who once sought their endorsements, of trying to damage labor’s political role.

“I’m taken aback that somebody like Obama would think that Oprah Winfrey has a greater right to participate in the political process than the four million people I represent,” said Edward J. McElroy, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, which has spent $799,619 on Sen. Hillary Clinton’s behalf, referring to the television host’s high-profile support for Obama. “It’s sour grapes. It sounds just like the charges the Republicans make.”

Some people have ready access to big microphones and can participate in the political process and reach a lot of people effortlessly. Most people require money to be heard. Pulling money together and using it to participate in the political discourse is not an inherently bad thing.