Political Quotes

“today on the front page of USA Today's business page, there was a headline, ``Pharmaceutical Industry Goes Furthest to Sway Congress.'' Last year the pharmaceutical industry spent $158 million, just last year, to lobby Members of the United States Congress and Senate. Now, I know you may be shocked to know that it may not have been in your interest, $158 million to lobby the Members of the United States Congress and Senate. Since 1998, in 6 years, they have spent three- quarters of a billion dollars lobbying, wining, dining Members of the United States Congress, taking them on golf trips, taking them on vacations, taking them to conferences, taking them out to meals, all to tell them about their industry. There are 1,300 pharmaceutical registered lobbyists. There are only 535 Members of the United States Congress and Senate. There are 2\1/2\ lobbyists for every Member. Three-quarters of a billion dollars in 6 years, $158 million last year alone, and 1,300 lobbyists working on behalf of the industry. About 475 of them, according to this article, are former Federal Government employees; 40 of them are former Members of Congress. It is the most influential and well-financed lobbying operation in Washington. Challenging the drug companies is always a costly undertaking, and, more often than not, it is a very difficult one and a losing one. But I want you to know what you are getting for your $158 million.…”