The 1700s, probably. The whole problem with politicians in this country is that you can't get elected unless you're rich and ruthless. It's supposed to be a representative democracy, but the only thing that gets represented is the point of view of the massively wealthy.

Silvan,

I agree, having money to confuse everyone with 30 second TV ads, mailers and one sided information really helps. It's a full time job actually checking into how a wolf dressed as a sheep votes on issues / laws.