Hillary Rodham Clinton's fundraising machine is working its magic among employees of the nation's biggest telecommunications companies, despite her support for an industry-unfriendly legislative initiative.

The New York senator and Democratic presidential candidate was the top recipient of funds from employees of AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and Time Warner through the first quarter of 2007. John McCain, who holds a senior position on the Senate committee that oversees the telecom industry, lagged far behind.

This AP story details that telcom company executives are pouring money into Hillary's campaign, even though she supports policies such as Net Neutrality which rob them of their return on their investment in their networks. Hmm. This isn't a mafia-style shakedown because the money is (mostly) being offered, not demanded. This is something darker.

It is a snapshot of the possible alternative universe we may face in January 2009, one where you must pay large amounts in tribute to your master in hopes that the flogging you receive is bearable. There is no reward, nor an expectation of reward.

No choice is yours alone. All must submit to the needs of the village community as determined solely by the master.

Submit! Contribute! Obey!