--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think it's a terrible system, but money…" description: "\"I think it's a terrible system, but money in politics is like water running downhill -- it finds its way.\" — Jonathan Alter" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c2/jonathan-alter-27761_money_i-think-it-s-a-terrible-system-but-money_36526.png" --- # I think it's a terrible system, but money in politics is… ![“I think it's a terrible system, but money in politics is like water running downhill -- it finds its way.” quote by Jonathan Alter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c2/jonathan-alter-27761_money_i-think-it-s-a-terrible-system-but-money_36526.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c2/jonathan-alter-27761_money_i-think-it-s-a-terrible-system-but-money_36526.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c2/jonathan-alter-27761_money_i-think-it-s-a-terrible-system-but-money_36526.png) > “I think it's a terrible system, but money in politics is like water running downhill -- it finds its way.” [Jonathan Alter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-alter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote highlights the inevitability of financial influence in politics, likening it to a natural force that follows the path of least resistance. **In simple terms:** Money in politics is unstoppable. Key Takeaway Financial power shapes political outcomes. Themes Power dynamics Political corruption Economic influence Systemic inertia Societal impact Mood Cynical Skeptical Reflective Type Observation Critique When to use this quote - Campaign fundraising - Lobbying efforts - Policy negotiations - Electoral strategies Key Concepts Political finance Institutional behavior Power structures Economic incentives Practical Applications - Designing campaign finance reform - Analyzing political power structures Questions to Reflect On - How does financial power affect democratic legitimacy? - What mechanisms could reduce money's sway in politics? 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That is part of the conundrum in America: The more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-turner/the-overflow-of-big-money-in-politics-drowns-out-the-voices-of/) [Nina Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-turner/) > [I'm seeing too much power being concentrated in the executive branch, and so our system of government is really in jeopardy, and more importantly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-kasparian/i-m-seeing-too-much-power-being-concentrated-in-the-executive-branch/) [Ana Kasparian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-kasparian/) > [I personally think money in politics on any level is horrible. I'd like to see a set amount and have every candidate spend it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-santelli/i-personally-think-money-in-politics-on-any-level-is-horrible-i-d/) [Rick Santelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-santelli/) > [The realistic way to reduce the amount of money in politics is to reduce the amount of politics in money -- the importance of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-will/the-realistic-way-to-reduce-the-amount-of-money-in-politics-is-to/) [George Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-will/) > [Well, the role of money in politics is pretty corrupting right now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-kennedy/well-the-role-of-money-in-politics-is-pretty-corrupting-right-now/) [Caroline Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-kennedy/) ## More by Jonathan Alter > [With his ABC News experience, perhaps Pierre Salinger's next job could be cohosting-with Oliver Stone-a 24-hour Conspiracy Network.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-alter/with-his-abc-news-experience-perhaps-pierre-salinger-s-next-job-could/) [Jonathan Alter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-alter/) > [By laying the groundwork for a system centered on home ownership rather than the public housing popular in Europe, the New Deal made possible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-alter/by-laying-the-groundwork-for-a-system-centered-on-home-ownership/) [Jonathan Alter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-alter/) > [Almost no one under 60 remembers what fundraising was like before Watergate. 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My biggest dream was to have a coffee shop, but I had no idea how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-espinosa/academically-i-was-never-that-interested-i-skipped-classes-my-biggest/) [Daniel Espinosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-espinosa/) > [Amongst the financial Twitterati, the term 'muppets' has come to describe any client used and abused by some financial predator. 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