30 Big Corporations Spent More Lobbying Washington Than They Paid In Income Taxes

[JohnWxy]

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/12/07/383779/30-big-corporations-taxes-lobbying/|Think Progress>

Today, thousands of 99 Percenters will march on K Street in Washington, D.C. as a part of an action called “Take Back The Capitol,” taking aim at the lobbying firms that corporate interests use to influence the federal government.

A report released this month by Public Campaign demonstrates just how important it is for Americans to battle corporate special interests and reclaim our democracy. The group’s research finds that thirty big corporations actually spent more money lobbying the federal government between 2008 and 2010 than they spent in taxes. For example, General Electric — one of the top 10 most profitable companies in the world — got a net tax rebate of $4.7 billion during this period. Meanwhile, it spent $84 million lobbying the federal government.

Here’s the full list of the 30 corporations identified and what they paid in federal taxes as opposed to lobbying:

[Dont call me Shirley]

1. Lobbying needs to be rendered illegal.

[PoliticAverse]

2. In the corporate world, that's called a good investment. n/t

[tomm2thumbs]

3. I wish that chart really showed the full numbers (millions) to show how ridiculous it is

It would be a wide chart, but definitely show the issues involved in dramatic form...

* am especially glad I closed ALL my Wells Fargo accounts because they are raising fees while sitting on a pile of profits. How does that set with other Wells Fargo members here?

[Tsiyu]

4. This is what's so galling!

These corporations obviously have plenty of money to throw away. Yet they want old people and children and the disabled to starve so General Electric, Corning, Mattel, Wells Fargo, Verizon and all other greedy corps can get away without paying their fair share.

This is a great chart. Thanks for posting. Too late to rec. but :kick:

Campaign finance and lobby reform are needed pronto

[classysassy]

5. Nothing will happen until we change the people in congress

Congressmen and women take an oath to uphold the constitution before they are seated,after they are sworn in they break that oath,we the people need to bring a class action suit against all of the offenders and have them removed.