WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Congress appears to have killed so-called campaign reform. Despite all of the wailing, legislators did the right thing. Campaign reform is an illusion which would only rearrange who has political influence.

The most important fallacy of the entire debate is that "there is too much money in the political process," as Rep. John Lewis, a Georgian Democrat recently charged. Apparently he thinks his job is unimportant.

Last year some $4 billion was devoted to elections, from president to city councilman. That's about $14.30 per person, enough to buy every American a CD, or a couple of fast food meals.