Frances Moore Lappé, author of Diet for a Small Planet, tells us that there are sixty-one lobbyists for each elected representative in Congress. Visit her YouTube channel to hear more about how our democracy is being (or has been!) taken from us. Her newest book, Getting a Grip: Clarity, Creativity and Courage in a World Gone Mad, is an eloquent and passionate plea for us to embrace a new alternative to the trend of billion-dollar politics. She supports the Fair Elections Now Act- S.752, H.R.1826. We can back the work of Change.org, YouStreet.org, and PublicCampaign.org. We do have the power. We just have to exercise that power.
"In 2009, health care-related companies and special interest groups spent more than $544 million on federal lobbying efforts -- obliterating their previous high from the year before. And a number of companies and entities that have lobbied heavily on health care reform -- the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, AARP, Pfizer, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, the American Medical Association -- all rank within the United States' top 10 federal lobbying clients of 2009."
Capital Eye Blog, Dave Levinthal
LOBBYING
Top Spenders
| Lobbying Client | Total |
|---|---|
| US Chamber of Commerce | $144,496,000 |
| Exxon Mobil | $27,430,000 |
| Pharmaceutical Rsrch & Mfrs of America | $26,150,520 |
| General Electric | $25,520,000 |
| Pfizer Inc | $24,619,268 |
| Blue Cross/Blue Shield | $22,715,439 |
| AARP | $21,010,000 |
| American Medical Assn | $20,830,000 |
| Chevron Corp | $20,815,000 |
| National Assn of Realtors | $19,477,000 |
| American Beverage Assn | $18,850,000 |
| American Hospital Assn | $18,347,176 |
| ConocoPhillips | $18,069,858 |
| Verizon Communications | $17,820,000 |
| FedEx Corp | $17,050,000 |
| Boeing Co | $16,850,000 |
| BP | $15,990,000 |
| National Cable & Telecommunications Assn | $15,980,000 |
| Northrop Grumman | $15,180,000 |
| AT&T Inc | $14,729,673 |