Money, money and more money: the green pieces of paper that make the world go-round. It is a powerful tool that politicians and the wealthy have used to gain control. Many people believe money is the main factor when it comes to winning elections, however, that is not the case. While it seems to have been a common trend for decades, money has not had a big influence on the most recent presidential campaigns, and the 2016 race is truly showing this ideology.

This point has been exemplified by Jeb Bush’s campaign. Possessing a huge financial backing, Bush’s monetary power did little to help his campaign, as he dropped out of the race for president. Bush had more than $152 million in funds from companies such as C.V. Starr and Company, MBF Healthcare Partners and more. This is a substantial amount of money, even more than Marco Rubio, who dropped out of the race with a little more than $111 million in funds. Bush had more financial support, but that did not ensure his campaign would make it until the end.

To add even more light to the money situation, Bush had more financing from his political party and other big companies than most of the other candidates.

Bradley A. Smith, former chairman of the Federal Election Committee, said money shows businesses and individuals that candidates are serious about being elected. However, nothing can be done if the candidates do not resonate with the people. I completely agree with this statement because of how our government was created to operate.

Our government was originally created in such a way that anyone, even a lowly, uneducated farmer, would have been able to run for president and win. While the first part of this original structure has died off because we never see an average person getting a nomination for president, we will always see the will of the majority.

While traditional media has been questioning why the phenomenon of well financed campaigns are succumbing to those with fewer assets is occurring in the 2016 election, it isn’t that hard to figure it out. It is the way in which our government was created.

David Donnelly, chief executive for the organization Every Voice, believes access to politics and money are the only two main ways to get into the campaign. While I disagree with the money aspect of that statement, I do agree that both of those aspects can make running easier.

Money is important to the world and how it functions. Whether we like to admit it, money is an essential part of our daily lives. Yet, it does not always have as big of an impact as many people believe. This crazy presidential election is just one example of how money does not control everything. In the end, the people around us have the greatest influence of all.