Roy Ashburn ARRESTED: Anti-Gay State Sen. Got DUI After Leaving Gay Nightclub. IAMA Oakland Police Officer. Ask me almost anything. : IAmA. Video. Woody Tasch: Destructive Economics. Ron Paul Lectures Bernanke: U.S. Moving Towards Fascism. 6. Lobbyists Buy Congress. Source: Open Secrets.org Title: “Washington Lobbying Grew to $3.2 Billion Last Year, Despite Economy” Authors: Center for Responsive Politics Student Researchers: Alan Grady and Leora Johnson Faculty Evaluator: John Kramer, PhD Sonoma State University According to a study by The Center for Responsive Politics, special interests paid Washington lobbyists $3.2 billion in 2008—more than any other year on record.
This was a 13.7 percent increase from 2007 (which broke the record by 7.7 percent over 2006). The Center calculates that interest groups spent $17.4 million on lobbying for every day Congress was in session in 2008, or $32,523 per legislator per day. Center director Sheila Krumholz says, “The federal government is handing out billions of dollars by the day, and that translates into job security for lobbyists who can help companies and industries get a piece of the payout.”
Health interests spent more on Federal lobbying than any other economic sector. Jesse Ventura on Conspiracies and Government Lies. Penn reminds us why Libertarians are awesome. Message from the last true US President