The protracted US presidential election has come to an end. The results will be known today.

The past four years witnessed the first black US president in history as well as the rise of "money politics" in the country, says an article in People's Daily. Excerpts:

The largest political donation for the election hit $34.2 million this year, and came from a corporation in Las Vegas. Both candidates are burning money trying to convince the public they can help the US to overcome its financial difficulties.

Surveys indicate most people in the US think the election costs too much money and money politics only gives wealthy people more power to influence final decisions. The average income of the middle class has been dropping for the past 20 years and the income gap in US society is growing bigger. Many middle class people feel they are increasingly marginalized and held hostage by money politics.

This trend goes against the political fairness and justice proclaimed by the US government. The US media often describe this year's election as a close competition with economic issues being the biggest challenge. The Obama administration did not fulfill its promise four years ago to the nation. Mitt Romney has not presented any better solutions than his counterpart either.

The voters are left confused and this can lead them in the wrong direction and descend into a blame game. The election is dominated by money politics and partisan politics and the costly debates and campaigns have not yielded any valuable solution to the problems of the US. Too many presumptions are based on "if", and not on sensible analysis.

Politicians need insight, determination, and powers of control and mobilization to lead their country out of difficulties. They also need a strong power of belief. The belief should not be based on power games but the well-being of the common people. If US politicians miss this point, they will be lost in the money politics that easily change people and will ultimately influence the development of a whole nation.