The difference is the "quid pro quo" - I give you something if you give me something. It's perfectly fine ethically and legally to provide financial support to

The difference is the "quid pro quo" - I give you something if you give me something. It's perfectly fine ethically and legally to provide financial support to candidates who support causes you believe in. The problem is when there is an express or implied exchange of official acts for the contribution, as when one says, "Don't ask me to write a check for you when you think your job is at risk and then don't pay any attention to me when my job is at stake," That is an exchange of contributions for official acts. That is unethical and illegal.