The governors of our various states must love history.  They just engaged in one of America’s oldest traditions.  They took bribes.  Or they extorted money from people and businesses.  Or maybe it was a bit of both.

The traditions began in England while we were colonies.  Many of our founding fathers complained that politicians in England’s parliament were on the take.

Well, ours are too.

The governors publicized what they were up to.  Banged the drums to increase the number of bribers and extortionees.

I refer to the Republican Governors Association at the Republican Convention.  And the Democratic Governors Association at the Democratic Convention.  Both associations advertised that influence was for sale.

For $5000 up to $250,000 donors could get packets of tickets to various events at the conventions.  They could sup with political big shots, get their photos snapped with them.  For the larger donations they got more snoot- to-snoot time with the big guys.

You know who gave the big money.  Lobbying outfits did.  Oil companies did.  Unions did.  Fat cats did.

Now, campaign finance laws outlawed this garbage.  Ah, but, the governors associations are exempt.  And they made the most of it.  “We’re breaking all of our records,” one of the organizers said.  Records for amounts raised.