These are all very good obsesrvations, but McCain Feingold tried very hard to impose spending limits:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipartisan_Campaign_Reform_Act

And got that bill through congress (both houses) and what happened just 8 years later, as a result of donors just not being willing to tolerate living in a democracy? Citzen’s united.

This is why I say that the ship has sailed, there is no hope of elected officials making systemic reform in a good way. Long ago it was clear that collapse will be the de facto reform. Russia long planned to ensure it is a collapse that falls within its own footprint, so to speak - very wisely and maturely and strategically, and now hopefully successfully. There will be justice.

- Shyaku