This is so Close to Bribery, it, too, should be Illegal

   I wonder if we have laws against money that buys influence. Yes, we have bribery laws. But, do we have any law that says, if you contribute money to a candidate, you forfeit the right to approach that respective legislative body concerning legislation to benefit you, specifically, or to benefit any entity you represent? Does any state have such a law?
   Do we have any law that says you cannot seek a contract with any government entity having officers to whom you have contributed?
   These are laws we should have. We should seek to end government by veiled bribery. Yes, actual bribery is the giving of money with the express understanding that a political favor will be granted in return. And, yes, that is different than giving money with only the hope the government official will come along with a favor. But, the second situation is so close in kinship to the first that it remains wrong. It is a shadow of bribery. It is the essence of bribery without the designation.
   I wonder but what such a law would run into trouble in the courts, being seen as a limitation of free speech. My argument before the judge, would be that current laws against bribery are not seen as impairing free speech, so this new law should not viewed as such, either.
   (This column was edited April 7, 2016.)