I see Charles' excellent article as a metaphor. Its not whether campaign contributions less than $1,000 influence municipal candidates, it's about our largely unregulated federal campaign system. The Koch brothers alone have budgeted $889 million for the current presidential race. Large out-of-state donors now have outsized influence on who is elected to state supreme courts and legislatures. Corporations looking at a multi-billion dollar business deal, or a tax break that will save them hundreds of millions, make what to them are sound business decisions to contribute a few hundred thousand here and few hundred thousand there, looking for a tremendous return on investment. 

The only solution is meaningful regulation of contributions. And that requires  that the Supreme Court's 5-4 Citizen's United decision be overturned. Overturning Citizen's United may be the most important issue on which this presidential election should turn. The implications resound throughout our lives.