The Gilded Dome: The U.S. Senate and Campaign Reform.

• Author: Kreyche, Gerald F.

Greg Kubiak, a chief legislative assistant for conservative Sen. David L. Boren (D.-Okla.), takes readers through the labyrinthine halls of Congress to show the inner workings of the legislative branch of government. It is not a pretty sight.

A fellow Oklahoman, Will Rogers, once wryly observed that Americans have the best politicians money can buy. He wasn't far wrong, maintains Kubiak, as the thesis of the book is that the political power of money is the prime mover of much that goes on in Congress, which supposedly represents the people, but, more often than not, represents powerful lobbies. Among these are the National Association of Manufacturers, American Tobacco Institute, American Medical Association, and National Rifle Association, and not so powerful ones such as the National Coalition for a Free Cuba. All work at getting Congress to listen to them and act accordingly. It is sheer folly to believe that financial contributions don't have a swaying influence on a Congressional vote.

The money pouring into a senator's political coffers largely is in direct proportion to the importance of the committee on which he or she serves. Often, a senator virtually can blackmail political action committees to get money for pet projects. If the PACs expect cooperation in the future, they must cave in to such pecuniary demands.

The actual process of getting a bill introduced is examined in detail by...