Interesting article today in the Washington Post about lobbying in the nation's capitol. This stood out as a truth, blunt and obvious:
Lobbyists muscled their way into the process as pork-barrel earmarking was exploding, promising to make sure their clients' requests rose to the top of the pile. The Congressional Research Service counted 3,023 earmarks worth $19.5 billion in 1996 spending bills. By this year, the number had climbed to 12,852, valued at $64 billion. The number of clients registered with Congress on budget and appropriations matters has more than doubled since 1998, from 1,665 to 3,759 in 2004, according to the Center for Public Integrity.
Lobbyists play such a central role in the appropriations process that many constituents believe they have no choice but to retain one if they hope to obtain funding for their project or organization.
Here's a question about that $64 billion in earmarks - how much of that goes to the lobbying firms? How much is America actually paying in appropriations so that the lobbying process is used? That's the number this article needs.