This is exactly right: We have a $3T government running a $17T economy, and we're shocked and appalled that elections for that government involve spending on a par with what Americans spend on scented candles each year ($3.1B)?

If every voting-age American spent $100 on electioneering, they'd be able to swamp the "special interests". I think it would be great, and so I'm in the tiny camp of people who think we need vastly more money in politics.