Big Three Spending Millions On Lobbying

Auto Makers Drowning In Red, But Still Spent Neary $50 Million Lobbying Congress

(CBS)  As Congress mulls over a bailout for U.S. automakers, some may be thinking about more than jobs and the economy.

The auto industry spent nearly $50 million lobbying Congress in the first nine months of this year.

And people tied to the auto industry gave another $15 million in campaign contributions, CBS News investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson reports.

It's not surprising that a lot of that money went to members of Congress from Michigan, where the auto industry is the biggest employer and politicians are passionate advocates for their constituents.

Take Sen. Carl Levin, who received $438,304 from the automotive industry. And in the House, Rep. Joe Knollenberg received $879,327. Rep. John Dingell got nearly a million from the industry. All have enjoyed generous support from the auto industry over their careers, with GM and Ford as their two top contributors. All support a bailout.

But nobody's been a bigger advocate for Motor City interests than Dingell. And for him, the stakes aren't just political, they're personal.

"There's an actual conflict," said Ryan Alexander of the nonprofit group Taxpayers for Common Sense. "His personal financial health, you know, the wealth of his family is tied up in the car industry."

Dingell's wife Debbie once worked as a lobbyist for GM.

When she married the congressman, she became a senior GM executive at an undisclosed salary. And we found the couple has extensive GM assets.

Dingell's current financial disclosure filed in May lists GM stock worth up to $350,000, options worth up to $1 million more, and a GM pension fund. In 2000, among the Dingells' GM assets were stock options worth up to $5 million.

And in 1998, the congressman reported selling GM stock options worth up to $1 million dollars.

Dingell wouldn't agree to an interview.

Taxpayer watchdog Alexander says the Dingell's personal ties to GM are something the public should know about when the congressman casts his votes.

"They stand to benefit if the company doesn't go under, if the company prospers," she said. "And they stand to lose a lot if the company goes bankrupt."

Nobody is placing bets on whether Congress will end up giving the car companies a bailout. But if investments in Washington politicians count as leverage, then the auto industry has plenty of clout.

[hitoyou11]

The Automakers LIE. It seams every one know this, but the idiots we have in congress. No only do we need to let the big 3 go down, we need to replace congress.

[hitoyou11]

It is not the republican that cause this. It is the UAW and the Automakers. IDIOT.

[perceptions5]

The Democrat Party is in control and STILL can''t lead this should be a great four years.

The "Axis of Incompetence"..............Obama, Harry, and Nancy

.........a Chicago Gangster......... a Las Vegas Mobster............and a San Francisco Snobster...

LOOK the Congress RUNS the economy and look at the job the great Dems have done with our economy the last two years..............contrast that with the Commander-in-Chief, Bush and his JOB is to run the wars............GREAT Job the last two years!

Of course our Nazi-like press will continue to prop up their pals, the Dems

And keep using their corrupt liberal propaganda to blame those "boggyman Republicans"..........boo!

What a fairytale...................

[u-r-right]

The best words to describe what is going on is vulgar greed. Our founding fathers would be embarred by what has become of congress and the many hands they have reaching out into the lobbyists cookie jars. It is absolutely ridiculous that they are allowed to partake in such behavior. Our government should not be filled with the rich elite. It''s time both the UAW and our congress come down into the real world. Let the auto industry flounder and get rid of our current congress who seem to be working only for their own benefit.

[rudy6543]

Posted by perceptions5 at 07:50 PM

I just laugh when I see comments like yours. We all know how this economy got where it is. If you need a hint, you can start with your buddies at good old Enron. Yep, The way that situation was handled by Bush and YOUR REPUBLICAN CONGRESS when they extorted money from California and defrauded their investors is the perfect example of what we have now.

These car guys are YOUR FRIENDS. You know, the guys who insisted that Americans drive and be killed by oversize vehicles. These are your friends who don''t believe in global warming. Remember? Neither do you. You should be over their kissing their fat hineys, because they are you, through and through.

[cbsblogger]

Trillions GIVEN to bankers, both USA and International, that caused this debacle with no questions asked.

Yet the $25 billion LOAN to Detroit that might just save a goodly portion of our manufacturing base and the Washington hacks haggle and finagle about every last cent.

Fire the CEOs of GM, Ford and Chrysler first, but send to prison the Wall Street moneychangers, shysters and scoundrels that put us into this mess and refuse to give a dime to our taxes to this new wave of new found bankers from Europe and elsewhere.

We desperately need some USA Firsters in our government before we become a third world nation.

[cpelzar--2008]

Dingell''s wife Debbie once worked as a lobbyist for GM.

When she married the congressman, she became a senior GM executive at an undisclosed salary. And we found the couple has extensive GM assets.

Dingell''s current financial disclosure filed in May lists GM stock worth up to $350,000, options worth up to $1 million more, and a GM pension fund. In 2000, among the Dingells'' GM assets were stock options worth up to $5 million.

And in 1998, the congressman reported selling GM stock options worth up to $1 million dollars.

Dingell wouldn''t agree to an interview.

Are you kidding me? He should be in jail.......

Now I am really furious, no money for Detroit period...

[u-r-right]

Give the big three some bailout money while companies in other industries continue to bleed out of the country through the lopsided free trade agreements. Then, when there are no other jobs left with a decent wage, the shiny new cars still won''t be selling and the big three will die anyway in another couple decades.

[cpelzar--2008]

Dear stupid,

1 - The deregulation happened because of legislation crafted by Senate Banking Committee Chairman - Phil Gramm.

2 - The legislation was made VETO PROOF in the REPUBLICAN led congress and senate, and THEN it was sent to Clinton. That means he HAD TO SIGN IT into law.
Posted by IwasHungry68 at 08:49 PM : Dec 03, 200

Hey Stupid,

Former President Bill Clinton says deregulation of financial institutions is not to blame for the mortgage market mess.

Clinton was asked in an interview if he regretted signing legislation in 1999 that repealed the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933, which had separated commercial and investment banking.

"No, because it wasn''t a complete deregulation at all. We still have heavy regulations and insurance on bank deposits, requirements on banks for capital and for disclosure," Clinton said emphatically in the Business Week interview.

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act passed the Senate on a 90-8 vote, among them 38 Democrats, some of them quite vocal supporters of the deregulation bill, including Sens. Chuck Schumer, John Kerry, Chris Dodd, John Edwards, *** Durbin, Tom Daschle, and Joe Biden.

"Schumer was especially fulsome in his endorsement," observes The Wall Street Journal.

Now, according to The Journal, these facts will likely come as news to many, including the national press corps and presidential candidate Barack Obama, who are promoting the idea that deregulation is to blame for the mortgage market meltdown.

[mikezembill]

Pelosilover it was the Gramm-Leach (republicans) mtdernization act nov 12 1999 that repealed the Glass-Steagall act that was voted on by Clinton with a Republican(veto-proof) congress. this is what caused this mess not until two yeas ago did the democrats have the power to do anything. they are finding out that this started two yeas ago but the Republicans are to blame forthis mess with eight years of Bush we had foreign trade with CANADA-MEXICO-ISRALE NOW WE HAVE TRADE WITH 13 OTHER COUNTRIES NOT COUNTING CHINA ALL UNDER BUSH AND THE REPUBLICANS.

[cpelzar--2008]

Pelosilover it was the Gramm-Leach (republicans) mtdernization act nov 12 1999 that repealed the Glass-Steagall act that was voted on by Clinton with a Republican(veto-proof) congress. this is what caused this mess not until two yeas ago did the democrats have the power to do anything. they are finding out that this started two yeas ago but the Republicans are to blame forthis mess with eight years of Bush we had foreign trade with CANADA-MEXICO-ISRALE NOW WE HAVE TRADE WITH 13 OTHER COUNTRIES NOT COUNTING CHINA ALL UNDER BUSH AND THE REPUBLICANS.

Posted by rxzyu at 09:11 PM : Dec 03, 2008

Now the facts, I know they are hard to deal with for dems:

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act passed the Senate on a 90-8 vote, among them 38 Democrats, some of them quite vocal supporters of the deregulation bill, including Sens. Chuck Schumer, John Kerry, Chris Dodd, John Edwards, *** Durbin, Tom Daschle, and Joe Biden.

[cpelzar--2008]

The republicans vision of Iraq is, "Keep the war going forever, because we have to funnel AS MUCH MONEY as we can to our friends and family in the defense contracting business, even though it has NOTHING TO DO WITH OUR NATIONAL SECURITY."

Posted by IwasHungry68 at 09:08 PM : Dec 03, 2008

Not really the defense Contracting Business under the dems will just get a bailout anyway. Hell I want a bail out too, it is in fashion these days. It is the new "it".

[bozworth4]

No republicans or democrats, only politicians that would pimp their mothers for a dollar, euro, or yen. When they spoke of change during the campains it was meant to tell the voting public change is all you will have in your pockets after we (politicians) get what we want. Then you can only have this change if we say so, or decide not to take it also.

[cpelzar--2008]

Pelosilover it was the Gramm-Leach (republicans) mtdernization act nov 12 1999 that repealed the Glass-Steagall act that was voted on by Clinton with a Republican(veto-proof) congress. this is what caused this mess not until two yeas ago did the democrats have the power to do anything. they are finding out that this started two yeas ago but the Republicans are to blame forthis mess with eight years of Bush we had foreign trade with CANADA-MEXICO-ISRALE NOW WE HAVE TRADE WITH 13 OTHER COUNTRIES NOT COUNTING CHINA ALL UNDER BUSH AND THE REPUBLICANS.

Posted by rxzyu at 09:11 PM : Dec 03, 2008

When the democrats tried to revisit the issue over the summer, the republicans promised their anti-American "filibuster" BS on any legislation crafted, so no one ever bothered to look at it.

Posted by IwasHungry68 at 09:19 PM : Dec 03, 2008

Dems are just wussess...Afraid of the big bad Republicans.

[cpelzar--2008]

Now the facts, I know they are hard to deal with for dems:

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act passed the Senate on a 90-8 vote, among them 38 Democrats, some of them quite vocal supporters of the deregulation bill, including Sens. Chuck Schumer, John Kerry, Chris Dodd, John Edwards, *** Durbin, Tom Daschle, and Joe Biden.

Posted by CPelzar at 09:15 PM : Dec 03, 2008


So the republicans are COMPLETELY exonerated, is that what you''''re saying?

Posted by IwasHungry68 at 09:24 PM : Dec 03, 2008

Are you brain damaged or something?

[antizion]

"Big Three Drowning In Red, But Still Give Millions To Politicians"

And the politicians give them billion in tax breaks and now billions in our money but hey that isn''t bribery and treason.

[staplesla]

These bailouts are a joke. We''ve already given away $2 trillion but haven''t fixed the underlying problem which started this - housing. We must stop rewarding poorly managed companies with bailouts that have no oversight.

I hear it argued that we must bailout the automakers to save jobs and avoid a depression. This is another scare tactic. Auto sales will be down to 9-10 million anually, from the 16 million last year. That to me says job losses/consolidation regardless of whether they get the money. Plus GM/Ford/Chrysler in their new bailout plans stated they%u2019d have to lay off massive amounts of people anyway. In addition, this bailout money will only get them through March. They need to file bankruptcy like any other firm so that the courts can negotiate all of their ridiculous contracts, benefits, etc.

Any bailout should be spent on fixing the housing crisis or it won''t matter if GM/Ford/Chrysler survive. If you can''t afford your mortgage payment, you surely aren''t going to buy a car.

If we don''t stop this bailout, this will set a precedent for the airlines to be next, then hotels/travel industry, then restaurants, etc. It''s got to stop. We should be investing in the sectors of this country that will actually grow our GDP and us as a country.

Contact Congress and tell them to vote no.
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress

[cpelzar--2008]

Not really the defense Contracting Business under the dems will just get a bailout anyway. Hell I want a bail out too, it is in fashion these days. It is the new "it".


Posted by CPelzar at 09:18 PM : Dec 03, 2008

Tell it to Bush and his puppy Paulson - the "bailout, bailout, bailout, bailout, bailout, bailout, bailout" is THEIR policy.

The democrats are just trying to get a handle on it. If the GOP had their way, the big 3 would have got their money last month - no questions asked.

Posted by IwasHungry68 at 09:26 PM : Dec 03, 200

What a joke who do you think Paulson''s and Robert Rubins protege is? Can you tell me? quick google fast. While you are at it perhaps you can shed some light on Robert Rubins involvement with Obama?

[antizion]

The corrupt congress payed by the american is demanding that the automakers lower the wages of the american worker before they can have some of the american workers tax dollars.

Anybody see who is getting screwed here and who is doing it.

[bozworth4]

PS - it was MCCAIN who warned long ago of today''''s banking crisis, it was Barney FRANK who said Fannie/Freddie were in good shape, it was Chris DODD who fell asleep at the wheel...

while you''''re attempting to grasp the Iraq War google: al gore wmd iraq




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by pelosilover

Not to get in on this finger pointing, but I do believe King George II said as little as 3 months ago our economy was strong? I however could be wrong, because King George II is a politician. Therefore, I find myself only listening half the time, because thats more time then politicians tell the truth.

[cpelzar--2008]

Dems are just wussess...Afraid of the big bad Republicans.

Posted by CPelzar at 09:22 PM : Dec 03, 2008




How many votes does it take to end a filibuster?

How many democratic senators are there in the senate that concludes in January?

Posted by IwasHungry68 at 09:27 PM : Dec 03, 2008

Oh I see so the 38 dem senators that voted yes, just voted that way because they could not not beat the Republicans. Yeh, better join them than to go against them?

That is ridiculous, they supported it including your new Vice President, Chairman of the senate Banking Committee and new HHS Secretary to be announced Tom Dachile.

If this change, I have the world''s best made Car for sale, It is made in detroit,low miles great condition..

[steamed2]

As a retired financial crimes investigator I can only shake my head at the clueless comments being made on-line by the general public. It''s the Republicans fault, it''s the Democrats fault, it''s the Tooth Fairy''s fault! Meanwhile Congress screams and runs around crying that the sky is falling, and doing it''s best to sow enough confusion so that taxpayers don''t notice the two and a half billion-plus dollars that professional lobbyists of the Finance, Insurance & Real Estate industry paid our fine Senators and Congressmen in just the past ten years alone to dismantle 80 years of regulatory laws which had protected us. American taxpayers are like domestic sheep, no wonder they are so easy to shear. There are ''reasons'' for the mess, they are easily identified, and they can be traced back to the ''bad actors'' that are responsible! Take a minute to check a few things out- http://www.peak.org/~LW584

[eagletalon91]

No Dont Bail-out The Big Three let them Close and restructure without
"U.A.W" .............Union must "Go"!!!!!!!

[cpelzar--2008]

As a retired financial crimes investigator I can only shake my head at the clueless comments being made on-line by the general public. It''''s the Republicans fault, it''''s the Democrats fault, it''''s the Tooth Fairy''''s fault! Meanwhile Congress screams and runs around crying that the sky is falling, and doing it''''s best to sow enough confusion so that taxpayers don''''t notice the two and a half billion-plus dollars that professional lobbyists of the Finance, Insurance & Real Estate industry paid our fine Senators and Congressmen in just the past ten years alone to dismantle 80 years of regulatory laws which had protected us. American taxpayers are like domestic sheep, no wonder they are so easy to shear. There are ''''reasons'''' for the mess, they are easily identified, and they can be traced back to the ''''bad actors'''' that are responsible! Take a minute to check a few things out- http://www.peak.org/~LW584

Posted by steamed2 at 09:38 PM : Dec 03, 2008

I find this blog web page curious. It refers to only (1) democrat to be removed from office as well discussing Citibank without the mention of Robert Rubin.

It is obviously your blog and while I give it some relevance, it is clearly dem slanted.

[txgrouch2007]

BAILOUTS OR TARIFFS?

If you had to choose one or the other, which would be better????

[steamed2]

"It is obviously your blog and while I give it some relevance, it is clearly dem slanted."

Posted by CPelzar at 09:47 PM : Dec 03, 2008

I''m not sure what you were reading since I''m advocating removal of virtually every seated member of Congress, both Republican and Democratic. You also apparently failed to read more than one or two pages. One of the key points I am trying to make is that it isn''t a Republican or Democratic problem, guys, it''s all about graft and corruption. Stop being distracted by rhetoric of politicians and check and check out some of the facts- http://www.peak.org/~LW584

[txgrouch2007]

either way, the tax payer aka the consumer end up paying...
Posted by pelosilover at 10:00 PM : Dec 03, 2008

Consider this - which one starts generating revenue for the government IMMEDIATELY instead of the government disbursing money?

Which one leaves the government (the TAXPAYERS) at risk for the car makers going under anyway and DEFAULTING ON THE BAILOUT LOAN???

Who pays back the bailout if the car makers go out of business?

Does that risk exist with tariffs???????

IF TARIFFS ARE LESS RISKY AND THEY GENERATE IMMEDIATE REVENUE, then WHY NOT DO TARIFFS INSTEAD OF BAILOUTS?????

[txgrouch2007]

I''''m advocating removal of virtually every seated member of Congress, both Republican and Democratic. Posted by steamed2 at 10:04 PM : Dec 03, 2008

We had the chance to do that on Election Day. It didn''t happen.

Time to move on. The imbecile voters LIKE the criminals we have now.

[txgrouch2007]

tariffs = higher prices - not what a struggling US consumer needs given the current economic situation
Posted by pelosilover at 10:08 PM : Dec 03, 2008

So you''re still operating from the Wal-mart mentality. You think price is the only thing that matters, and cheaper is always better.

What will hurt the consumers more - higher prices, or lower prices and NO INCOME, so they can''t afford it at any price???

Will tariffs hurt the consumer more than endless bailouts, which will leave a trail of defaulted hundred billion dollar loans???

Which will hurt more?

[downtowner97]

Levin, Knollenberg and Dingell need to be excluded from this discussion. They won''t recuse themselves.

[armandbeni]

The big three won''t get out of trouble unless they break their contracts with the union. The union autoworker''s salaries and benifit packages are dragging the big three down, while imports and even foreign brands made here spend half as much per vehicle for labor. A Tarriff won''t work, since many "foreign" cars are made here and will only raise the cost of every car at a time where Americans can''t afford cars. A Tarriff is just putting a tax on ourselves, while not doing anything to close the gap in labor costs between the big three and the competition.
As for Washington, I for one would agree to a tax increase to build a new jail if it were used to house congress. We need to get rid of both the Republican party and Democratic Party and form 2 or 3 new ones. It is the only way we can get rid of these crooks.

[incog-nito]

Don''t worry people. After the recession is over, people who lost their jobs due to outsourcing will be back at work doing... uh... um...

Never mind. The recession won''t be over.

[incog-nito]

The big three won''''t get out of trouble unless they break their contracts with the union. The union autoworker''''s salaries and benifit packages are dragging the big three down, while imports and even foreign brands made here spend half as much per vehicle for labor. A Tarriff won''''t work, since many "foreign" cars are made here and will only raise the cost of every car at a time where Americans can''''t afford cars. A Tarriff is just putting a tax on ourselves, while not doing anything to close the gap in labor costs between the big three and the competition.
As for Washington, I for one would agree to a tax increase to build a new jail if it were used to house congress. We need to get rid of both the Republican party and Democratic Party and form 2 or 3 new ones. It is the only way we can get rid of these crooks.

Posted by armandbeni at 10:26 PM : Dec 03, 200

Wrong. If "foreign" cars are made here, then tariffs won''t make them any more expensive. A tariff is not a tax on ourselves if people buy domestic. A tariff equalizes the discrepancy in labor costs in the U.S. vs. other countries where workers make a tiny fraction of the pay here, working under sweat shop conditions with little to no labor laws or regulations. It negates the currency manipulation and export subsidies used by China and other countries to make their products even cheaper.

It''s about more than just consumer costs. It''s about national interest and security.

[daisyjingles]

We need the manufacturing plants to succeed because if there is a war and we have no manufacturing plants that can switch from consumer goods to war supplies we will have to buy are tanks and jeeps and planes from China. The auto plants need to be revived. Yes, they need to be efficient, but losing them would be a national security mistake.

[lmartink]

That''s great! Corrupt politicians. Corrupt corporations. A year ago, GM had lobbyists in Congress working to oppose higher mileage standards. Good heavens, That might have cut into the huge profits of their Slugbus SUVs.

It''s really disgusting. I have no respect for these jerks -- corrupt politicians, or the CEOs who feed them.

We need to work on breaking up this cabal of gangsters and hoodlums, masquerading as decent American citizens. Even if you are from Michigan, consider replacing Dingell next time around. Keep up the pressure and criticism of the Big 3 until they either really shape up, or go under.

[brian9194x]

More corruption. Not a surprise.

Online poker... continued.

Oh and please don''t try to reply and tell me why im wrong because I will never believe you especially because your claim that you were "hacked" just doesn''t add up. Don''t forget that I am a poker player and I use this psychology all day long to determine if I''m being bluffed or not. lol

If you were really "hacked" as you claim, you would of brought this up a longgggggggg time ago. Especially when you claim there are bots etc. Then don''t bother to mention the website i post that is pretty common sense. Anyway, why not bring up this "hack" story before?? Give me a break man. It is a good attempt and pretty funny so not completely worthless.

Sorry, but your story belongs in the National Inquirer.

[brian9194x]

It really amazes me at the lengths people will go to in this country. I know there is corruption but on this level, a card game, is amusing. The NFL should be ashamed of themselves and people like you should be ashamed of yourself. Everything you and others claim is contradicted by the exemption of online fantasy fball, horse betting, and lottery. This isn''''t even about online poker, its about constitutional rights and corruption. Also everything you claim even though its false would be fixed by regulation. The point is that you just want online poker gone. That''''s fishy to anyone with a brain.

Point proven.

[staplesla]

I''''m amazed all all of those posting who believe if the automakers get the bailout that all jobs at the plants are safe. Last year 16 million autos were sold, and next year only 9 million are predicted to be sold.

This means consolidation and massive layoffs regardless of a bailout or not.

Let them file bankruptcy, go to courts, and renegotiate all terms with the UAW and others to provide the companies with better terms.

[brian9194x]

"renegotiate all terms with the UAW and others to provide the companies with better terms."

[rudy6543]

Wrong. If "foreign" cars are made here, then tariffs won''''t make them any more expensive. A tariff is not a tax on ourselves if people buy domestic. A tariff equalizes the discrepancy in labor costs in the U.S. vs. other countries where workers make a tiny fraction of the pay here, working under sweat shop conditions with little to no labor laws or regulations. It negates the currency manipulation and export subsidies used by China and other countries to make their products even cheaper.

It''''s about more than just consumer costs. It''''s about national interest and security.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by incog-nito at 10:34 PM

Exactly right. If companies want to go abroad to avoid taxes and pay slave wages, let them know that if they come here to sell, they are going to play on a level playing field. That is why they should pay tariffs. But as it is, we let them carry on this abuse for the almgihty dollar and nobody is this present administration will stand up to them. Good riddance to them.

[liberate40]

Let the Big 3 automakers go under. I am not an autoworker. I did not sign any labor contract for the autoworkers. My tax dollars should not be used to bailout bad decisions made by management of the Big 3 to make low quality cars. I used to drive a 2003 lemon from Chrysler (Sebring) and racked up $4500 in repair bills, spent less time on the road and more time in the shop. Dumped the lemon for a 2006 Toyota Camry and have been happy with it for the last 2 years. This Toyota is made in Lexington, Kentucky. Americans can make good cars, when they are led by good management.

Michigan Politicians and the Car Czars. You publish this as News. Everyone knows this. Our politicians live and run for office by corporate contributions. They will not survive a day without this!. Now, while talking about the auto industry, why not the banking industry who got hundreds of billions. I guess they don''t feed the politicians huh ?

Michigan Politicians and the Car Czars. You publish this as News. Everyone knows this. Our politicians live and run for office by corporate contributions. They will not survive a day without this!. Now, while talking about the auto industry, why not the banking industry who got hundreds of billions. I guess they don''t feed the politicians huh ?

[theyelladawg]

Until all Americans demand public funding of ALL elections and require ALL politicians to participate, nothing is going to change. The problem with the present system is that it rewards the exact opposite of skills that we need in government. As long as we elect politicians based on how much money they can raise (by any means necessary) instead of allocating a specific fixed amount to each candidate (regardless of party), we''re going to keep getting politicians who don''t know how to live within a budget and who are beholden to special interests instead of "the voters" who they have to "reward" once they are elected. What''s so hard to understand? Will it be easy to get there? Of course not. Is it necessary to level the playing field for all candidates. You betcha! Will it happen in "our lifetime"? Not unless voters demand it, because it''s not in the politicians'' interests to change the system.

[alphaa10000]

Back when McCain and Feingold targeted campaign finance reform, $50 million in Detroit PAC money seemed to be the kind of corruption and unseemly influence of monied elites McCain opposed.

But that was years ago. Today, to elect McBush, Detroit spent $50 million. And all this-- for the guy who opposes special interests?

Try not to choke as these arrogant individuals appear in congress to ask for a taxpayer bailout. After all, their lobbying expenses must be covered-- and that includes "air fare" by private corporate jet. Fuels costs have gone up, you know.

A golden spoon to Democrat John Dingell, bolted in his congressional seat with a Detroit assembly-line air wrench.

[alphaa10000]

theyelladawg said, "Until all Americans demand public funding of ALL elections and require ALL politicians to participate, nothing is going to change... As long as we elect politicians based on how much money they can raise (by any means necessary) ... we''re going to keep getting politicians who... are beholden to special interests instead of "the voters"..."
---

Amen to that. If goes without saying no congress which campaigned under the old system will easily let go of a comfortable system, even if congress people always complain about it-- if only to excuse themselves.

Yet, Obama is most likely to reform the current system. He alone has the understanding of government and the perspectives required to carry it through with the eye of a planner, not an opportunist.

Yet, the great irony is Obama changed his mind and decided not to take campaign funding in 2008-- and for good reason. Obama knew the campaign would be waged largely without restraints, as Detroit''s $50 million illustrates.

Obama also realized GOP minions could play around the election finance rules ("Sue us after the election. Our election commission will be sooooo sympathetic.")

As the GOP apparently decided, it is better to apologize than to ask for permission.

[craigh9]

This is so simple even a politician should be able to figure it out.

Problems - over priced cars due to inflated management and labor salary/benefits. - ANSWER - Chapter 11, it allows MAJOR alterations in all contracts drastically reducing overhead - and it places knowledgable business people in oversight to save the company from the poor business practices it has exhibited in the past. The US car lines would be snapped up by consumers if a car that sells for 30,000 today would only cost $22,000 or so.
The companies are extrmely top heavy, eliminate 25% of management and reduce remaining salraries/benefits by 15% across the board (is UAW listening?)as well as ZERO bonuses until such time as the company is profitable - and even then bonusescan ONLY be based on overall profitability.

[tincup356]

Lobbying should be a crime punishable by death, after all it is killing our country.Its really bad when congress takes a crime such as bribery and think it makes it all right just because they call it something else, another case of do as i say , not as i do.It was prestigious to be a member of congress at one time....now it seems as though being associated with the group automatically sends ups flags as to how corrupt one is.

[antoniof123]

Well, lack of controls sure did wonders for our country.

Thank you neo cons for starting that revolutions it is the gift that keeps on giving.

[gmcnally2]

We all know this is wrong. We all see that it is a conflict of interests when the people making the laws that govern our businesses are taking millions of dollars from those businesses. PLEASE someone of integrity step up and do what is right for the American people. Are there any honest men of integrity left on Capitol Hill????