It's only a theoretical path to political power, though. There are no examples that I know of, at least in the US, of a tech entrepreneur or scientist successfu

It's only a theoretical path to political power, though. There are no examples that I know of, at least in the US, of a tech entrepreneur or scientist successfully running for office. I think Woodrow Wilson was a professor, and he was a disastrous president (and notably very racist). Yes, the money can buy influence over power, but not obtain power itself. And if Citizen's United is ever legislated against (and it should be) even that influence will be limited.