I admit that after viewing politics closely for years, I really don't get the obsession with trying to restrict money in federal election campaigns, especially seeing it as a goal which transcends all others. Sure it sucks that money influences elections, but I think the 'money corrupting politics/policy' problem is much deeper than that and I'm not sure that the elections part is really the important part. More than that, it just isn't clear that walling off federal election campaigns from the rest of the world has been good for either democracy in general or liberal policy goals specifically. I think it has helped to separate "issues" (policy) from "politics" which helps to separate politicians from accountability.
Anyway, yes, rich assholes shouldn't be able to influence elections and control the country. But even if we make it harder for them to influence elections, they're still going to control the country. I don't know how to fix that, but I just don't think the campaign finance law regime helps much, and might even hurt.
