Late last week, former Obama campaign executives announced the launching of Organizing for Action, the transformation of President Obama's campaign organization into a new nonprofit aimed at issue advocacy to advance the president’s agenda in his second term.

I have written many times about how great wealth, distributed with increasing disparity and allowed unfettered access to the political system is compromising the democratic character of our political system. 

But today, while watching the gun debate on television, I became focused on another problem—the whack jobs running Congress.

"Imagine that you are a young congressional intern at the inauguration, standing in a big crowd listening to inspiring words.  After the speech, you get to eavesdrop on members of Congress discussing the evening's festivities..."

We’ve told you before about the influence of money when it comes to passing a defense budget. A lot of companies want to get in on the Pentagon pork.

But there are other ways corporations that work in the defense arena are able to have influence.

Americans have a lot to be thankful for this year - not least of which is the fact that the most expensive Presidential campaign in history is over. 

You may know Trevor Potter as the lawyer for Stephen Colbert's former super PAC, "A Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow." But he was also once a Republican Federal Election Commission (FEC) Chairman. 

Comedian Stephen Colbert did a lot to bring attention to the absurdity of our current campaign finance system with his Colbert Super PAC. But this week, with the election over, Colbert announced the end of that PAC. In an email to his supporters, Colbert wrote, "I write this letter with a heavy heart and elevated cholesterol. Earlier today, our advisor and chief strategist, Ham Rove, passed away. Authorities believe he repeatedly tripped and fell onto a knife several dozen times. Later some dogs ate him. It was all quite tragic.”

Niki and I were looking over the results of a poll on money in politics (PDF) conducted just after the election.

“Seven percent of people have a warm feeling towards Super PACs,” I told Niki in some disbelief.

“They are probably people who think that Super PACs can help them win,” Niki responded, “or friends of Karl Rove.”

“They are probably people who think a Super PAC is a backpack that Superman wears,” I offered.

With the election results in, many people are wondering if money in politics is really even an issue anymore. Karl Rove's PAC American Crossroads had an abysmal 1.29% return on investment, after spending nearly $105 million. Sunlight Foundation has broken down exactly who they supported and opposed and which of those candidates won or lost.

Gettysburg Address

Revised following Citizens United

Abraham Lincoln