It’s considered heresy right now to say anything about problems inside “the family”–in this case, those of us who are still Democrats (or recovering Democrats). For the past few weeks, I’ve pointed out, on this blog and other places, the worrisome–and, let’s be honest, entirely predictable–expanding ties between corporate America and the Democratic Party.

Actually, it’s been pretty mainstream publications that have pointed this out, from The Hotline to Business Week. I don’t think there needs to be a contradiction between working to dethrone the Repugs (and yours truly has been out walking the streets for a number of candidates, especially John Hall in the 19th Congressional district in NY) and making sure that we send a very strong signal that there needs to be a “not for sale” sign on the Democratic Party. Yes, I know–the party is already deeply entrenched in the corporate money game. Even more reason to sound the alert.

The New York Times today adds more reasons to be vigilant and loud. In a lead article on the front-page, the paper of record reports: Democrats Get Late Donations From Business. Here is the upshot:

Corporate America is already thinking beyond Election Day, increasing its share of last-minute donations to Democratic candidates and quietly devising strategies for how to work with Democrats if they win control of Congress.

The shift in political giving, for the first 18 days of October, has not been this pronounced in the final stages of a campaign since 1994, when Republicans swept control of the House for the first time in four decades.

Though Democratic control of either chamber of Congress is far from certain, the prospect of a power shift is leading interest groups to begin rethinking well-established relationships, with business lobbyists going as far as finding potential Democratic allies in the freshman class — even if they are still trying to defeat them on the campaign trail — and preparing to extend an olive branch the morning after the election.

Lobbyists, some of whom had fallen out of the habit of attending Democratic events, are even talking about making their way to the Sonnenalp Resort in Vail, Colo., where Representative Nancy Pelosi of California is holding a Speaker’s Club ski getaway on Jan. 3. It is an annual affair, but the gathering’s title could be especially apt for Ms. Pelosi, the House minority leader, who will be on hand to accept $15,000 checks, and could, if everything breaks her way, become the first woman to be House speaker.

“Attendance will be high,” said Steve Elmendorf, a former Democratic Congressional aide who has a long list of business lobbying clients. “All Democratic events will see a big increase next year, no question.”

While business groups contained their Democratic contributions to only a handful of candidates throughout the year, a shifting political climate and an expanding field of competitive Congressional races has drawn increased donations from corporate political action committees.

This is why the majority of people think the political system is broken. No matter who runs the government, the corruption of corporate money taints both parties. Assuming the Democrats win, if the party is unwilling to break with the corporate pay-to-play system, the party’s majority won’t last.