Despite the corrupt nature of America's campaign finance system (whereby businesses and other special interests effectively bribe politicians with campaign contributions) most politicians, who rely upon such financing to remain in office, vote against measures to institute reform.

Indeed most politicians, the The New York Times reported at the turn of the millennium, favored "a let-the-good-times-roll proposal that would eliminate all contribution limits."

The bill? The aptly-named "Doolittle Bill" -- named for its sponsor, California Republican John Doolittle.

[The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that limiting political contributions would infringe upon the constitutional right to free speech. One brilliant potential solution to the campaign finance problem? Passing all donations through a blind trust.]

[The original Bill of Rights proposed by Congress as an addition tothe U. S. Constitution contained twelve, not ten, amendments. The two which failed to be ratified by the states were amendments to set the size of the House of Representatives and to prevent congressmen and senators from raising their own salaries.]