"Most of the people listed in this article aren't politicians, and so can't enact any laws. " They are connected individuals who will provide introductions, lo

"Most of the people listed in this article aren't politicians, and so can't enact any laws. " They are connected individuals who will provide introductions, lobbying and favours for the people paying for the speech. "but the article's explanation is that she is invited as a retired secretary of state, as other retired secretaries of state have been, rather than as a current presidential candidate, which seems reasonable." This is really a little naive. Hillary Clinton is running for Pres with a 70% chance of getting it, her husband is the #1 most connected man in the world. Over 50% of the private entities she met while Sec of State donated to the Clinton slush fund, to the tune of over $57 million dollars. It's a form of soft corruption - 100%. A $250K 'speaking fee' is just another way to transfer money from an org, to a political entity. A 'donation' to the Clinton Global Initiative is simply a donation to the de-facto Clinton PAC/fund. It's a form of corruption and it's not a secret. You don't donate to Clinton fund - then get an introduction/favour by Clinton by accident. I'm singling out Clinton because you did, but it's the same across the board.