So says Timothy P. Carney in this op-ed.
For years, Virginia developers have been pouring millions of dollars into the coffers of Republican, Democratic, and Independent candidates as well as referendum committees trying to secure dedicated sources of road funding.
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What’s going on here… is an attempt by the developers to externalize their costs.
Carney’s perspective is not one that I had thought of but which makes perfect sense. Developers are major contributors to campaigns at every level. Money brings access, which allows them to help shape the opinions of those who are elected to represent us.
With the cost of campaigns rising by leaps and bounds, the increasing influence of those who contribute large sums can’t help but be felt in the decisions of our elected representatives. At some point, we are going to have to do something about the money in campaigns; otherwise, more and more of our legislation will reflect the desires of the few.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 