Lobbyists set a new record for spending in the third quarter
Filed under: Health, Insurance-health
Huzzah! We have a new record.
Open Secrets reports that lobbyists have dropped more money in the third quarter than during any other quarter since spending disclosures began -- $849 million to be exact. In three months.
Total for the year so far: $2.5 billion. Naturally, the health care sector is leading the year so far with $396 million.
If you've been wondering why the Republicans are insane and why too many of the Democrats are acting like, well, Republicans, this is your answer (I'm looking at you Blanche Lincoln, Ben Nelson, Joe Lieberman and Evan Bayh).
Firstly, as we all know, lobbyists own Congress, but in terms of the big issues this year, ranging from energy to health care, the Republicans are being well-paid to flail and obstruct and generally thwart any efforts for reform.
Meanwhile, some of the Democrats who've muddied and watered-down the health care reform bill are equally as guilty of following orders from the people signing the checks, so they're stalling reform but not with the same fury as the Republicans.
Ten years ago, the health insurance providers and HMOs spent around $20 million on lobbying. This year, they're rapidly approaching $60 million. Just one of the expenses you finance with 30% of your monthly premium.
More good news on this front. The Supreme Court is deliberating the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission case to determine whether a corporate-financed anti-Clinton documentary from 2008 is considered political speech. If the Court rules in favor of Citizens United, the Court will effectively give corporations free license to use money as political speech. In other words, the lobbyist scene could end up a whole lot worse than it is right now.
Here's you. You're looking for work and wondering how you're going to buy health insurance for your kids. Meanwhile, more than 13,000 lobbyists are scurrying around the Hill -- coercing your representatives to ignore you. Who wins that tug of war?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-02-2009 @ 4:20PM
GOD said...
==Yawn== apparently you'd prefer the Government monopoly.
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11-02-2009 @ 5:06PM
AboutTime said...
Mr. Cesca, this is such a refreshing perspective and we are truly grateful to have you on board WalletPop. Having been exposed to meandering and pointless commentary in the Blogosphere, your thoughts and insight have pointed us to the truth that is out there.
We look forward to your continued contributions and thoughts on the fray that is Government, Politics and Truth.
To the blogosphere my valiant steed....TO THE BLOGOSPHERE.....GO!!
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11-02-2009 @ 4:42PM
juliet said...
cough. apparently YOU prefer kleptocracy. Seriously GOD (seriously? GOD?), no matter what end of the politcal spectrum you inhabit, having lobbyists dictating policy is a bad thing. It means we are longer a democracy and we have to rewrite all or pamphlets.
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11-02-2009 @ 4:44PM
GOD said...
And costs like, well, you know how it's costs us $10 Billion a year to run the IRS collection agency? they do things just so well and efficiently....right Mr Cesca?
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11-02-2009 @ 4:59PM
Wolfe Tone said...
Dear GOD (boy, no problem with ego there):
By whinging about how poorly the government does everything, it's apparent that you fail to recognize those things that the government DOES run well, and of which you no doubt take full advantage.
I'd be willing to bet you fit into this category.
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11-02-2009 @ 6:11PM
Hielo said...
My first time at this site... and what do I see? Someone that thinks so highly of himself, or herself, that they go by the handle of "God". Please stick around, God.
Based on your silly comments, this is going to be fun. You are no match fro Bob Cesca.
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11-02-2009 @ 6:37PM
GOD said...
no match fro Bob Cesca? Bob the flaming liberal nutjob that makes a living degrading his political enemy and defending his beloved democratic power hungry party at all costs every day of the week? What a productive life. You think he convinces any moderate to think his way? That more government is the answer? We have 400 times more government than we had 50 years ago. Hows that working out? It's demanding half the income of all in the middle and upper classes. We all work through April and some of May to pay for the tools strutting their stuff through their chartered skies and into their chauffered limos and town cars, promising others pitifully porky little perks for their votes. Some retiring on pensions after one term in office, others ,making careers off the public dole, at better than private industry salaries. Plus their overtime pay. Ever see the 40K a year some submit on top of their six figure salaries?
Yeah I'll stick around, I'm sure Bob knows tons. What's he do for a living again? Listen to politicians?
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11-02-2009 @ 8:19PM
Hielo said...
Nice to have your comments, Gob. Most of us do not watch Glenn Beck. Thanks for being his rep on this blog.
Here is something that you might want to think about (is it possible?)...
Your first rant about the IRS. Did you ever consider that the legalized bribery that controls almost all of the legislation in this country is directly responsible for the IRS Code? I didn't think so.
11-02-2009 @ 6:39PM
GOD said...
Middleclass is in the 28% or higher tax bracket. And the Alternate minimum Tax is designed to keep th middleclass at 28%. Add on state & local taxes. And hidden taxes, it is around 40%.
Now add obama's proposed cap & trade tax, his not-a-tax, excise tax on healthcare or mandatory healthcare, and the expired Bush Tax Cuts for ALL AMERICANS, you will be getting up towards 60%.
The rich gets richer and the middleclass gets dumped down to the poor. obama's plan is to make everyone that is not super rich, poor so they are dependent on government handouts. The way of socialism.
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11-02-2009 @ 10:21PM
eve said...
You need new talking points, god. if you're going to try to distract from Bob's well made points, at least use something besides the most tired and worn out libertarian cliches.
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11-03-2009 @ 2:16PM
GOD said...
I need new talking points? need to stop listening to Beck?
I am a thinking individual, thank you very much, unlike you
wanks here who can't seem to digest reality.
Here's more for this busy blog:
I pointed this out to liberal healthcare whores last night.
Huzzah!
A TV ad by Health Care for America Now asks,
"What if we stripped away the 13 billion dollar insurance company profits?"
Oh no 13 billion?
ANNUAL Medicare/Medicaid fraud and waste is 6 TIMES THAT AMOUNT....
Government is 6 times worse than the insurance industry you all hate.
Way to go !!
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11-03-2009 @ 3:59PM
juliet said...
Ignore GOD. Maybe GOD will go away.
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11-05-2009 @ 11:00AM
SlamnnSam said...
Simple solution...flat tax eliminate the IRS or greatly scale it down. Keep own insurance except when people need a safety net they could buy into a existing gov plan like congress has or the post office. Base the cost on a percentage of income. Just keep things simple and we can scale down expences....no need for big lobby or big Gov.
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