“Democrats who have spent months emphasizing the high cost of living in their fight to win control of Congress are increasingly invoking corruption in Washington to sharpen that message in the closing weeks of the campaign, blaming self-dealing by politicians for driving up prices,” the New York Times reports.“Armed with research showing that voters have grown numb to the idea that politicians cannot be trusted, Democrats are using the message to stoke anti-incumbent sentiment as Republicans attempt to defend their slim House and Senate majorities. Their claim is that rampant corruption in Congress and the administration is directly costing average citizens who are paying more for necessities like groceries, gas and medicine while those in power get rich through insider knowledge, pay-to-play schemes and the backing of billionaires and powerful corporations.”“That message is taking center stage in political ads, speeches and debates in some of the most competitive races in the country.”