Throughout this year, the media networks have inundated us with the presidential campaigns of both major political parties. On the Democratic side, it has been of particular interest to see if Hillary Clinton can now become not only the first female president but also the change agent who could cement the policies of President Barack Obama.

It has been equally as interesting to see the race to be the GOP's nominee — particularly the performance of the animated, bombastic reality TV star Donald Trump as he makes his run for the White House. Initially, none of the political pundits took his campaign seriously. No one thought he could win because his rhetoric seemed at times unintelligible and often insensitive. Nevertheless, Donald Trump has been able to amass a base of support that is enabling him to barrel toward the general election.

I have resisted making a pejorative analysis of his vitriolic rhetoric on immigration, health care, foreign policy and the economy. To me, it appears that he says a lot for effect but that he may have some “good intentions” — especially when he says our health care system can't let people die in the streets or that Planned Parenthood does good things for the health of women. Nevertheless, while I may disagree with many of his policies (on which he has yet to share much detail), I admire his ability to master the media, control his own narrative and, most importantly, the fact that he is financing his own campaign.

And maybe it's his ability to finance his own campaign that has the GOP up in arms. All of a sudden the entire Republican “establishment” is against their own front-runner. And before we jump on the band wagon and say it's about time they spoke out against him, maybe we need to pause and ask why. All of this opposition to Mr. Trump from the Republican “establishment” doesn't pass the smell test. I don't get it. I am not buying the “he's a self-centered egomaniac” argument. And I am not buying that they have issues with his racist rhetoric. It's not enough for me for the Senate majority leader and the speaker of the House to denounce racism and bigotry in their political speak but not demonstrate it in their public policy and in their politics with President Obama. Something else is going on.

I believe their opposition reveals a more sinister plot in our political and economic system. Maybe it's the fact that Mr. Trump is against the Citizens United ruling and super PAC money. His opponents have spent millions of dollars to turn the public against him to no avail. In fact, Mr. Trump continues to prevail not only as the front-runner, but also by gaining the unanticipated endorsements of Gov. Chris Christie, Dr. Ben Carson and many evangelical pastors. His self-funded campaign has enabled him to have influence and independence. It's why Churchill opposed Hitler — not so much because of his anti-Semitism (which was of course immoral and wrong in every way) but because Hitler wouldn't take the Bank of England's debt-based money and got Germany out of debt by issuing its own interest-free money.

It's all about the money. They are using this idea of Mr. Trump being a racist and an egomaniac as a ruse to mask their fear that he doesn't need their money. For Republicans to say they will vote for Hillary if Mr. Trump is the nominee suggests that something else is at play ... and it's that money.

And that's what's at stake in both our national and local elections. We have to not only consider the rhetoric, personalities and policies of these candidates for public office, but also their campaign funding sources. We don't need to elect a figurehead, but we need to elect a person who, with his or her own head and heart, can enact policies that really empower people holistically.

I'm exhausted with the rhetoric of talking heads who are bought and paid for by special interests that don't have the community's interests at heart. And in this next election, concerned citizens need to make a more intelligible and discerning decision about who we elect to serve in public office. We have to get beyond our feelings and identify the financiers and their agendas for politicians that may or may not be for the good of “we the people”. If we don't look at who is paying them, we may end up paying for it in the long run.

Donté L. Hickman is pastor of Southern Baptist Church in Baltimore City, Harford and Howard counties. His email is pastorhickman@me.com.