I totally agree that our government is now more accurately described as a "special interest state". "Welfare State" only scratches the surface. In another post on this blog Sen Mitch McConnell indicates concern that if Obama is re-elected he will push for a Constitutional amendment that narrows and tightens campaign financing. I do not wish for Mr Obama to be re-elected, but I would love to see an amendment that eliminated ALL contributions to federal election campaigns. The reason we are a 'special interest state' is because of the billions (and maybe this year trillions) of dollars poured into Presidential, Senatorial, and Congressional election campaigns, most of it by special interest groups. As I have stated in other posts, this is legalized bribery. (Interestingly, Donald Kaul, a liberal columnist said almost the same thing on our Sunday paper OPED page). I believe this form of bribery is the greatest threat facing this country because our elected officials are legislating on behalf of their biggest contributors rather than on behalf of the American people.