Politico gave a brutally honest assessment of how money rules the US government

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Michael Cohen.

• Politico's morning newsletter on Friday did not pull any punches in an assessment of how money influences virtually every aspect of the US government. 
• As Politico put it, "NO, the swamp is not drained. Give us a break. We're not defending the status quo - but welcome to reality. This is the campaign finance/lobbying/government system Congress created and DC fostered."
• Politico's raw take on this issue generated a lot of chatter. 

Politico's morning newsletter on Friday did not pull any punches in its assessment of how money influences virtually every aspect of the US government. 

The analysis came amid revelations that that companies paid Michael Cohen for insight into the then-incoming administration. Specifically, the healthcare giant Novartis paid Cohen $1.2 million after he promised to help with insight and access to President Donald Trump.

Politico's Playbook team wrote, "YES, guys like Michael Cohen routinely get paid amounts like $1.2 million to offer insights about their boss or former boss. Yeah, it's crazy."

"But many readers of this newsletter would not have their McMansion in McLean, their BMW, their membership at Army Navy, second homes in Delaware, cigar lockers and endless glasses of Pinot Noir at BLT Steak and Tosca if that kind of stuff didn't happen," the analysis said.

In other words, it's no coincidence the Washington, DC, area is one of the most affluent in the country. Money swirls around the government and those associated with it. 

As Politico put it, "NO, the swamp is not drained. Give us a break. We're not defending the status quo - but welcome to reality. This is the campaign finance/lobbying/government system Congress created and DC fostered."

Politico's raw take on this issue generated a lot of chatter on Twitter on Friday. 

Politico urged readers to not be fooled by those who claim to be fighting the system, taking apparent aim at Trump's assertion of "draining the swamp" in Washington. 

"All of the people who say they are against the system participate in it. Yes, the people who rage against the machine are greasing the skids," the newsletter said.