By James W. Dolan

Has the balance so essential to restrain the excesses of the capitalist system eroded to the point where government has become a tool of the system?

The desire to improve ones' standard of living, to acquire goods and achieve wealth is the engine that runs capitalism. It has provided the energy and power necessary to achieve economic progress. It was appropriate to harness our economic system on man's fundamental desire to secure a better life.

To fulfill the social compact, government was the instrument by which the people were to restrain the uglier impulses of the capitalist system and to assure broad distribution of the fruits of the system.

When greed prevails and distorts the fair distribution of goods and services, then capitalism no longer remains a force for good. The evidence of that distortion in the process is compelling.

In its effort to protect the people and fulfill its role in enforcing the social compact, government must be vigilant. First, it must protect itself from the corrupting excesses that capitalism in its most virulent form can use to undermine that function.

Money has always the means by which commercial special interests influence the process. Capitalism understands the use of money and power. It is only natural they would be employed in abundance to further the interests of commerce.

The cost of attaining and remaining in public office provides ample opportunity for those with means to influence elections and the actions of elected officials. The broader public interest tends to get lost in the deal.

The unholy alliance between special interests and elected officials operates on a massive scale in Washington. Office seekers and office holders need money to gain and remain in office. It costs a lot more than ten cents a dance when politicians and lobbyists take to the floor. Some politicians appear uncomfortable with their dance partners while others appear downright enthralled.

They need one another and the spurned suitor in the relationship is the public good. One cannot represent the public good and at the same time dance the dance. At some point one must choose and far too often the wealthy suitor wins. Well meaning efforts to insulate elected officials from the need to dance have failed.

If money and power can drive an economy it can also drive government. The tension so necessary to assure the public interest is protected has fallen victim to the forces it was designed to control. The fuel that generates our economic power has spilled into government creating an unhealthy mixture of good intentions and special interests. The good intentions are like sea birds coated with foul smelling oil. Few will survive.

Capitalism is good for business but does not foster good government. Has government been so infected by capitalism that it can no longer control the virus? Excesses abound. The salaries of business leaders, sports figures, celebrities, big homes big cars, tax break for the rich are all signs of the growing disparity between the rich and the poor. Enough is no longer enough! More is not even enough!

In this climate, how do we encourage elected officials to act in the public interest? Is it realistic to expect them to sacrifice their own interests to the public good? Probably not; in the final analysis they will vote for survival.

The only way of achieving balance is to somehow disengage the political process from the kind of direct influence that commerce now exerts. Can that be done in the face of arguments that capitalism's first amendment rights are being violated if denied the opportunity to influence government?

In order to achieve balance, restraints must be placed upon special interests, particularly upon the funds they are able to bring to the table. Their influence now all but drowns out the barely audible voice of the public.

If some reasonable balance is to be restored, it will probably have to be done by the judicial branch. Now, only judges have the independence necessary to strike a balance between the legitimate interests of business and that of the public at large.

If it has not already done so, capitalism is on the verge of hijacking government. Hopefully, at some point the Supreme Court will enforce the social compact and say no.