Which is it?

Donna Brazile writes for (subscription only) RollCall.com:

"...the cost of running for public office, largely driven by the expense of the broadcast ads that are the bread and butter of modern campaigns, is so high that fundraising for the next race must begin virtually the day after they win the last one."

So are we elected people to office to represent us or are are we electing professional, taxpayer-funded, professional fundraisers?

These same elected officials who avoid good or worthy legislation like the plague because a particular industry will withhold their contributions. How is that a democracy? Politicians aren't representing the people, they're representing whoever gives them the most money.