And in the foul air democracy chokes and gasps, the middle class falls behind, and the poor sink from sight as political donations determine the course and speech of policies that could make the difference in the lives of ordinary people struggling in a dog-eat-dog world.
It was the dream speech of a policy wonk, but Mr. Clinton never assumed that the details would bore a general audience, and they did not.
In returning to that theme Monday, almost four weeks before the Pennsylvania primary on April 22, she appeared to be trying to persuade voters that she would be a take-charge leader focused on results — in contrast to Mr. Obama, whom she has criticized as offering high-minded, eloquent speeches instead of policy ideas.
In a speech otherwise devoid of policy announcements, Mr Cameron hinted at a plan to restrict the benefits of anyone under the age of 25 they should be "earning or learning", he said.
But his time in a combat zone taught him much about sacrifice, honor and loyalty among soldiers, he said in a speech largely devoid of policy, politics or any mention of his Republican rival, Gov. George W. Bush.
On Channel 4 News this week, we saw Inayat Bunglawala of the MCB arguing for freedom of speech and Dean Godson of Policy Exchange arguing for censorship of literature many people find undoubtedly offensive.
Before that, Hillary Clinton's first major policy speech of her presidential campaign was not on the economy or foreign policy, but on criminal justice reform.
They have scheduled a series of policy speeches that Mr. Perry will soon give.
I'm not talking about an indictment of the other party or a bunch of policy speeches, both of which Mr. Pawlenty delivered adequately.
The governor's spring blitz of policy speeches showed him setting the campaign's agenda.
