Are we the people at risk of becoming a nation “of the wealthy, by the wealthy, for the wealthy?” The astounding cost of extended multi-media political campaigns, in which major-party war chests total in the hundreds of millions of dollars, begs a further question: Are the mega-donors seeking candidate influence for reasons of general societal advancement or post-election access for specific policy consultation? Can a clandestine oligarchy exist within a democratic republic? Do we risk having multiple undisclosed dictators? Should there be limits on individual campaign contributions from officials of major corporations, particularly those with government contracts? Is the better answer to require full disclosure of personal donations exceeding some aggregate annual amount? Elections have become all about the money, and we see daily evidence of wasteful, repetitious spending in efforts to raise more. The mailbox and internet confirm widespread solicitor reliance on the same purchased contact lists, complemented by incessant all-day radio and television coverage and spreading outdoor signage. The ratio of changing voter minds to dollars expended has to be declining rapidly. Phil Osifer