The media thinks the Associated Press’s report on the Clinton Foundation is groundbreaking news.
It’s been called a “bombshell report” by outlets like the Huffington Post and Fox News, among others. And it’s true -- if Hillary Clinton gave special access to her donors while Secretary of State, it represents a serious black mark on her campaign.
But are the American people surprised that their federal officials give special favors in exchange for cold hard cash? No. American citizens aren’t so easily fooled. Elected and non-elected politicians in D.C. have two motivations: money and power. They seek power through reelection and money through “campaign contributions” (or, in Clinton’s case, “foundation contributions”).
This isn’t going to change any time soon. But there is a way to mitigate the influence of money in Washington: limit the power of the federal government itself.
An Article V Convention of States can propose constitutional amendments that shrink the power and jurisdiction of the federal government. Limiting the power of federal officials will limit the amount of damage they can do under the influence of rich businessmen and, ultimately, put the states and the people back in control of the country they love.
