You make some valid points, kali. The Dems villified the Repubs for the "influence-peddling" scheme. For a substantial donation to the party, and often through K Street brokerage, major corporations (or even private donors) could purchase "quality time" with committee chairmen (read: strongly influence policy). Now that the Dems are back in power, and have the committee chairs, they have decided that the process isn't that bad, after all.