enlightenment :
The pharmaceutical industry, for example, hired a slew of Democratic lobbyists in the run-up to November, so that if the Democrats won, they would have more influence in trying to block legislation to drive down drug prices for Medicare recipients.
In early December, even as some Democrats were promising ethics reform and an end to the “culture of corruption” in Washington, hordes of lobbyists–including a large number of former members of Congress who now make large sums as lobbyists–were attending three or four fundraisers per evening for Democrats both newly elected or facing upcoming reelection.
According to the Web site OpenSecrets.org, which tracks politicians’ money, during the 2005-2006 election cycle, new House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) received her largest group of contributions–$17,000 in all–from PACs and individuals associated with Occidental Petroleum. Other big donations for the liberal who is supposed to “clean up the House” came from AT&T and the American Bankers Association.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer got his largest contributions–$28,500–from banking giant JP Morgan Chase. Coming in second and third on his list were defense contractors Northrop Grumman and Mantech International.
Meanwhile, Rep. John Murtha–who was backed by Pelosi and others as the “antiwar” choice for House majority leader, before losing to Hoyer–received more than $232,650 from over a dozen defense contractors during the 2005-2006 election cycle.
Many of Murtha’s biggest contributors in the defense industry were actually pleased that he lost the race for majority leader–because his position as the head of the defense appropriations subcommittee means he has even more direct influence to satisfy the industry’s wish list. And Murtha is supposed to be a voice for the antiwar movement in Congress?
“so you think the Republicans are better?”
no they are scum, but that was not my question, stay focussed please.
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the same types that own the repubs. lobbyists and corporations.
As compared to the rampant corruption and lax lobbying rules of the outgoing republican congress? Give us a break.
The same corporate interests that own the Republicans. Big money takes care of its own interests first and foremost. That’s why they hedge their bets by playing both sides of the politcal fence. That way, no matter which party loses the election, they win. They’re equal opportunity corruptors.
MoveOn.org and George Soros!!!!!!!!!!
so you think the Republicans are better? You haven’t learned much in the last 6 years have you? Please, these examples you have given are mere drops in the bucket when you compare it with the out going Republicans and this Republican neo-con administration in the white house.
How is it that your question only concerns Democrats. I suppose you believe Republicans are not on the receiving end of lobbiest efforts? Does Tom Delay and Jack Ambramoff not ring a bell with you. Obviously you’re biased and that pretty well negates any thing you have to say.