| This Blog is to demonstrate how big money buys or at least influences government regulators and politicians. Do the regulators and lawmakers hold this power so that they can be wined and dined? Do they do this for campaign donations? Do they do this for the simple power over others? Do they do this because they think they are smarter than the business owners or their customers? All these questions are ‘YES’ to one degree or another. |  |
 | There is an innate desire in everyone to hold power over others. This is very evident in politicians. They will claim that they hold this power to protect the average man from business owners’ power over their customers. Politicians’ solutions are usually taking power, then creating policies that reward those that wine and dine them and give campaign donations. Often, these policies restrict customers’ choices, thus making them worse off. |
| It used to be more hidden and denied; however, more, and more politicians and business owners unashamedly state their desire to buy and sell influence. Donald Trump stated that he and his business friends consider it a cost of doing business. Newt Gingrich states that earmarks were a powerful weapon to control congressmen. |  |
 | The list of people trying to make this ‘OKAY’ is growing. They hide this corrupt behavior less in an effort to normalize this. Many figures if we all just act like it is normal, the voters will start to accept this type of control. In fact, many candidates campaign on bringing home funds to the district. They claim how many jobs were created. Senator Mitch McConnell very publicly announces that defense contractors need to give big donations to his political allies. He very clearly links more taxpayer money going to their businesses. Mitch McConnell clearly has the motivation to add extra profits to these businesses to allow for these political donations. |
| When real Estate Developers Mark and Barbara Fried give about $2 million to Virginia politicians, are they expecting to have red tape cut for them and doubled up on their competition? Politicians love to have their campaign war chest to fight off competition. The citizens should not expect politicians to overcome the overwhelming incentive to sell favors, whether hidden, justified or blatant. |  |
