Ed Lasky points us to this shocking article in the New York Sun that shows the utter futility in trying to enforce current campaign finance laws.A very large number of people - numbering in the hundreds of thousands - have contributed to both Democratic and Republican campaigns online. As long as the amount donated is $200 or less, it doesn't have to be itemized. This means the donation can come from anyone, anywhere.According to an analysis being released today by a Washington think tank, the Campaign Finance Institute, Senator Obama of Illinois led the pack with such small and secret donations, pulling in about $31 million during 2007. Rep. Ron Paul ran second in small gifts, raking in more than $17 million. At the end of the year, Senator Clinton and John Edwards, who has since dropped out, were essentially tied for third in unitemized, small contributions, with each candidate raising about $11 million. Advocates of tighter campaign finance controls said the notion behind excusing...(Read Full Post)