> To say that Sheldon didn't have influence on Trump akin to bribery is naive

Influence can definitely be bought. But trading influence isn’t bribery. What Adelson did is closer to a manufacturer opening plants in a swing state—despite higher costs—to curry favour with its senators than sticking wads of bills in their pockets. It’s definitely not the same. That’s the problem. But it’s a far cry from wiring Trump money in exchange for an executive order.

Blurring the line between bribery, lobbying and campaign financing not only sucks the sail out of campaign finance and lobbying reform. It also destigmatises actual bribery.

You might have to get out the crayons and explain the difference. They seem one in the same to me.

> They seem one and the same to me

I’ll put it in start-up terms. Do you understand the difference between raising and making a million dollars? That’s campaign finance versus bribery.