Pay-to-Play in America, Part 3: 'Money Rarely Raises Its Voice'

We generally assume that the one who pulled the trigger intended to fire the gun, or that the person who poured and lighted the gasoline intended to start the fire.

Pay-to-Play in America, Part 1

Pay-to-Play in America, Part 2: The Subtle Side of the Game

Pay-to-Play in America, Part 3: 'Money Rarely Raises Its Voice'

Pay-to-Play in America, Part 4: The SEC's Proposal for Regulating Pay-to-Play

But in the world of privately financed political campaigns, it's usually impossible to tell whether a contribution was intended to promote the general welfare or simply to buy favor. ...