You want to know who owns Congress? The top 100 money givers list.

[IChing]

We are talking about major money here folks in the 10s and 100 of millions of dollars.

. The Center for Public Integrity compiled a list
of the top 100 money-givers to Congress
between 1998 and 2005,
and telcos, oil, war and of course health and drug companies dominate the list.

Here are a few of its findings:
telecommunications

* Verizon Communications Inc. $81,870,000
* SBC Communications Inc. $58,035,037
* AT&T Corp. $53,349,499
* Sprint Corp. $47,276,585
* BellSouth Corp. $33,732,827
* Qwest Communications International Inc. $24,523,480

"Defense"(war) industry examples

GE. $94,130,000
Northrop Grumman Corp. $83,405,691
Edison Electric $82,000,000


So next time you wonder why big business always seem to get their way with the feds,
just look at those numbers. They're buying the best Congress money can buy.

Reported Lobbying between 1998-2005

Chamber of Commerce for the U.S.A.............................$204,614,680
Altria Group Insurance ..................................................$101,220,000
General Electric Co.........................................................$94,130,000
American Medical Association........................................$92,560,000
Northrop Grumman Corp.............................................. $83,405,691
Edison Electric Institute..................................................$82,866,628
Verizon Communications Inc..........................................$81,870,000
Business Roundtable.......................................................$80,380,000
American Hospital Association & State Affiliates..............$79,205,772
Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America.....$72,720,000
National Association of Realtors......................................$68,810,000
ExxonMobil Corp..............................................................$59,672,742
SBC Communications Inc...................................................$58,035,037
Freddie Mac -....................................................................$57,740,000
Boeing Co..........................................................................$57,258,310
Lockheed Martin................................................................$55,373,840
AT&T Corp.........................................................................$53,349,499
Fannie Mae (Federal National Mortgage Association)..........$50,777,000


The rest of the list is here: http://www.publicintegrity.org/lobby/top.aspx?act=topcompanies