The legacy of "The Left"

[Tom Rinaldo]

9. Thank you. OK, close enoiugh for a Rec then :)

I still disagree that Bernie was accusing Hillary of being a corporate tool, it's more the point that corporations have been making our political parties tools for their own interests through the corrupting influence of money in politics. But a case can be made that implicit in the Sanders campaign was a belief that accepting huge amounts of money from ruling financial interests in some way compromises those who are either forced to or choose to do so. I think that is what you are referring to. If nothing else it offers the appearance of a conflict of interest, whether or not actual influence is being peddled. In law, the appearance of a conflict of interest is often grounds to demand that a judge recuse him or herself from a case. In politics however, under the prevailing model of campaign finances, if that standard were to apply most of our elected representatives would be unable to govern on most issues.

I understand and appreciate your position on getting money out of politics. It is something, minimally, that all Democrats should be able to unite around.