Not so long ago, a senator was selling his house. He bought the house few years back for about 300k. He was asking for 2.5 million and sold the next day.
It turned out the buyer was one of the none profit organizations that got money from one of the loybist, who in turn was asking the senator to do things for him. To the none profit organization, it gained a house. To the senator, he pocked 2+ million, To the loybist, he got what he want from the senator. Everyone is happy and no lows were broken. According to laws, he did not take any money from anyone. The house was put to sell at the free market and whoever wanted to buy it must see the value of the house. It is a free country and if someone wants to pay 2+ million more for your house, good for you.
The guys taking cash were the stupid greedy guys that would do anything, including taking cash. The smarter ones would do it within the scope of the laws, which is not really hard to get around at all.
Where do you think Bush got his 250 million money to run for the office last time? How do you think he paid them back? Iraq War paid most of his dues to the defence industry and oil companies. The only one out of money is the tax payer.