There Are Very Few Party Machines Left Today Because

There are very few party machines left today because

A) local, state, and the federal governments have decreased in size to the point that almost no jobs are available to distribute as patronage.
B) the Supreme Court ruled in 1943 that party machines cannot qualify as tax-exempt organizations.
C) civil service reform and the institution of the merit system mean that party leaders can no longer control who is appointed to government jobs.
D) so many Americans identify as so-called independents rather than as members of one of the political parties.