Paul Scott comment: Here's what happens when corporations are allowed to spend money on political campaigns

(The following is a comment by decorahnews.com's Paul Scott)

This fall's election campaign was the dirtiest, depressing-est, deadening-est political campaign I can remember.

Everyone is talking about how the political attack ads made TV impossible to watch.  But before everyone says, "Thank goodness that's finished," let me suggest that maybe it isn't.

That's because around $4 BILLION was contributed to political campaigns this year and a fair share came from corporations giving to political action committees under rules that do not require them to disclose their contributions.

But the politicians who accepted the money know where it came from.  And I'd like to suggest that the donations have come with strings attached.

For instance, oil companies will be glad to hear that politicians are renewing their talk of getting Congress to approve the XL Pipeline through the Midwest.  We'll probably also be hearing talk about "changing overly burdensome regulations" and opening federal lands to more exploration.

Because when corporations spend $3 million on a political campaign, as Chevron did in one California community this fall, they're not doing it because they are a lesson in good civics.

So pay attention to what our legislators do when they get to Des Moines or Washington, D.C.  Because you don't spend $4 billion and expect nothing in return.