Holy snap.. that was last year and they expect to go higher??? during a recession? (I call it at since our unemployment is all time high. WOW...
btw. who gets all that money?
#2
MindDetective
Businesses seriously need their own representatives in government. Give them their own vote in their own branch and get them out of personal space of the people's and states representatives.
#3
Shakey
The money goes to hiring people to constantly pour over every piece of legislation trying to decide what is and isn't good for the company. Paying people to put together "news" pieces to sway public opinion. Paying people to schmooze with the lawmakers and paying for all those free meals. I'm sure there is also a bribe or two going around. Basically lots of jobs revolve around lobbying.
#4
Krisken
The money also goes into campaign funds, advertising, and corporate funded studies. Advertising (I think) is probably the biggest expenditure.
#5
strawman
That's a drop in the bucket. It's less than 0.03% of our annual GDP.
#6
ThatGrinningIdiot!
Yeah, check your military budget.
#7
Krisken
As of November, over $600 million was spent on lobbying for the health care debate. In case anyone was curious.
#8
sixpackshaker
It may go much higher. There is an expected ruling that may lead to corporate dollars being linked to free speech. If it gets linked to free speech it would mean that there can be no laws hindering the spending of corporate lobbyists to buy votes from Senators.
