It seems to me that very wealthy people hoard money like dragons. Congresspeople generally aren’t very wealthy. Instead it seems like prostitution is a better analogy. Congresspeople quite often have their votes swayed for relatively small amounts of money.

I’m being pedantic on the analogy because I think it’s important for people to have the right framing on a major problem with American politics. Namely, too much money going to campaigns and PACs influencing politicians. Congresspeople generally aren’t super rich.

Your point about what goes on in your head still stands.