Campaign financing system out of control

Newt Gingrich’s big benefactors are Las Vegas billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, who gave $5 million to a Gingrich super pac, and his wife, who also gave $5 million to the same super pac.

Then I hear people say they wonder what is wrong with our system and why it is getting worse, why it is more distant from the foundation of the country, and why it is growing further away from the heart of the country, the people. The answer is simple. It’s the money, stupid. But, sadly, the solution is not so simple, thanks to the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling in 2010, which took the cork out of this bottle and released the devil himself with a wad of money.

Adelson, for example, was originally a Democrat. He became a Republican as his wealth increased, saying at one time, “Why is it fair that I should be paying a higher percentage of taxes than anyone else?” Ironically, the current out-of-control system would get a whole lot worse if people like Adelson get what they want after this election. By the way, what do they want? The better question should be what do we want?

As the famous line in the movie “All the President’s Men” revealed, and one which is more apropos today than it was in 1974, “Follow the money.” Warning, you may not like the journey or the final destination.

Danny M. Francis

Watertown