One fear of the founders was democracy believeing people would vote themselves large pieces of the pie. It hasn't happened, in fact, people have voted to keep giving the wealthy the biggest slices, so how did that happen? Money, pure and simple, the wealthy discovered money are votes. The money buys votes through campaign contributions, advertisements for candidates, and so on. At one time I remember a survey, some years ago, that said a vote cost five dollars. With enough money some people could be convinced that almost any candidate or law was good for America. The problem with the present Republican candidates is they were allowed to speak, to debate and they destroyed themselves. If they had only been allowed to go on the podium, smile, frown, nod, shake their heads, but no they had to talk and bingo even Republicans can't seem to stomach them. That's why it now takes a lot more money per vote.