Not long ago, if the local Republican Party or any of the local clubs needed some funds, they would call a few highrollers and schedule a banquet at a swanky hotel. Everyone would dress up, Jeeves would bring around the car, and then Mr. and Mrs. Republican would enjoy a night of carping and sniping at fellow Republicans while pretending to like them. In the process, they would all open their checkbooks and, like honey from the rock, the money would flow to the local Republican Party. That was then, this is now. My, how times have changed.