I thought it might seem a bit naieve AA - but heck I had to ask. But I appreciate the answer, it clarifies something for me. The American political system has a party system that is far looser in discipline than in my country (which follows the Westminster model in its parliament). Our political parties are very highly disciplined. You would never see a bill being proposed by the member of one party and seconded or supported by the member of another party. I won't go on about it because it will derail the thread.
My point is that even someone who is an ordinary person without wealth can be elected to parliament IF they become a member of one of our main political parties. The party will stump up the money (not millions, more like thousands) BUT they have to sign up to the party platform if they do and if they stray (ie vote against their party) they will boot that person at the next election.
That's real party power and although we like to accuse our main politlcal parties of being Tweedledee and Tweedledum they are far more different from one another than the Democratic Party and the GOP.
Not saying it's better - in many ways party discipline works against the common interest - just that's how it works in practice here.
