We've said it before: Utah, due to a disgraceful lack of limits on campaign contributions for state offices, has the best elected officials that money can buy.

But, if the Governor's Commission for Strengthening Democracy has its way, we may not have to say it again.

The commission wisely voted 10-7 Thursday to recommend that the Legislature limit individual and corporate campaign contributions to $4,000 per election cycle for statewide races, and $2,000 for House and Senate seats.

It's far from a perfect solution. Lower limits -- perhaps $1,000 per individual donor per cycle -- would be better. And an outright ban on corporate donations to candidates and political action committees would be best. But the commission's plan would go a long way toward restoring public trust in our political system, a trust that has been eroded by the perception that politicians can be bought and paid for.

Unfortunately, the proposal comes with a caveat. Commission members reserved the right to change their minds, after several members complained that limiting donations amounts to limiting free speech. In a sense, it's an admission that money talks, and constituents lacking deep pockets will be left out of the conversation.

Utah is one of just five states to allow unlimited donations to political campaigns. It's not something to be proud of.

While lawmakers claim that they owe no allegiance to the companies and individuals that help them buy elections, that stubborn stance flies in the face of common sense.

Corporations don't make contributions because they have money to throw away. They expect something in return. And the fact that they continue to donate is proof that they're receiving a positive return on their investments. Even if donations can't buy votes, and it's impossible to prove that they don't, at the very least they buy big donors unfettered access to politicians that ordinary citizens rarely receive.

The commission's recommendations and findings are, unfortunately, nonbinding. But if commission members stick to their guns and recommend a cap on campaign contributions to the Legislature, and voters support the proposal by making the phones light up in legislative offices, perhaps lawmakers can be shamed into action.

"Two-thirds of Americans feel money does have undue influence on elections," commission member Randy Dryer said. Worse, it has an undue influence on governance.

Utah's laissez faire campaign finance system is "the wild West," Dryer said. He's right. And for the sake of democracy in our state, it needs to be tamed.