Here are the most recent totals for public grants to primary election campaigns – paid under the Presidential Primary Matching Funds Act.

Who’s in the lead? With a cumulative total to date of $7,615,360.39 in matching governmental funds . . . its Gen. Wesley Clark! Followed by John Edwards at $6,654.161.44, Joe Lieberman and $4,267,796.85, Richard Gephardt at $4,104,319.82, Dennis Kucinich at $3,291,962.59, and Lyndon LaRouche at $1,456,019.13.

These totals are subject to change, since each campaign must undergo a governmental audit, and after the audit campaigns may be ordered to repay some public funds.

It’s a cliche but I’ll use it anyway: Your tax dollars at work.