> And as regards the malign influence of corrupt special interests --- at least model legislation is potentially traceable. How is it better for a chemical company and a legislative staff to strike a deal in a smoke-filled back room and then have the staff write a bill de novo?

If Chevron + Exxon + BP pool their resources to write model legislation, they can very likely create 'bulletproof' protections for themselves that can be pushed to all 50 states simultaneously (or as many as have receptive legislatures). If they're on a state-by-state negotiation, it adds friction that I personally feel is very healthy.

This is a similar argument about Citizen's United -- everyone has a right to speak but Goldman Sachs can afford much more speech than the average person...