&gt; In a way we are lucky that money talks in the U.S.A.<p>Money talks, but votes are king.  When we collectively vote a politician out of office, his or her money dries up.  In a way, votes are made more powerful by money.<p>Check out This American Life&#x27;s episode on &quot;Take the Money and Run for Office&quot; [1]<p>Dick Durbin: I think most Americans would be shocked-- not surprised, but shocked-- if they knew how much time a United States senator spends raising money. And how much time we spend talking about raising money, and thinking about raising money, and planning to raise money. And, you know, going off on little retreats and conjuring up new ideas on how to raise money. [2]<p>...<p>Barney Frank: If the voters have a position, the votes will kick money&#x27;s rear end any time. I&#x27;ve never met a politician-- I&#x27;ve been in the legislative bodies for 40 years now-- who, choosing between a significant opinion in his or her district and a number of campaign contributors, doesn&#x27;t go with the district. [2]<p>[1] <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.thisamericanlife.org&#x2F;radio-archives&#x2F;episode&#x2F;461&#x2F;take-the-money-and-run-for-office" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.thisamericanlife.org&#x2F;radio-archives&#x2F;episode&#x2F;461&#x2F;t...</a>
[2] <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.thisamericanlife.org&#x2F;radio-archives&#x2F;episode&#x2F;461&#x2F;transcript" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.thisamericanlife.org&#x2F;radio-archives&#x2F;episode&#x2F;461&#x2F;t...</a>