Joel Grey sang about it in “Cabaret;” Ellen Putman gets it right in her May 22 letter, “Scrutinize all political groups,” that “we now have the best government money can buy.” In a May 19 column, “Money will open doors for business; it’s Congress’ way,” financial columnist Malcolm Berko gave an astounding “accounting” of the big money interests in politics.
Let’s review Berko: Congress employs 18,742 staff people to work for 535 members. Your representative and staffers are well-fed by 37,000 lobbyists who disbursed $4.3 billion in cash, favors, perks and untraceable assets for legislative favors. GE’s lobbyists gave $178 million to members of Congress, allowing GE to avoid federal taxes on 2011 income of $15 billion, and there are others contributing millions to avoid taxes, too. So, being elected to Congress is how you get into the gold rush and re-elections keep on giving. Citizens United notwithstanding.
Berko concludes “You’ve gotta pay to play, that’s the Congress way.” Unethical members concern me.
Entertainer Carol Burnett, when awarded the American Humor prize, said “It’s almost impossible to be funnier than the people in Washington (D.C.).”
