Clinton, Obama and the Flying Pigs.

Both Clinton and Obama talk a lot about the lobbyists and special interests in Washington. Well just how powerful are these "babblers of balderdash?" Here are some interesting facts from the Center for Responsive Politics which tracks lobbyist spending on their OpenSecrets.org website.

• Lobbyists spent a record $2.79 billion in 2007.
• Every day that Congress was in session they spent $17 million to lobby lawmakers.
• Health interests spent more on federal lobbying than any other economic sector - $444.7 million.
• Finance, insurance and real estate was second, spending about $418.7 million.
• Combined, pharmaceuticals and health products shelled out $227 million for lobbying services, or an average of $1.4 million dollars for each and every day of the 164 days that the 110th Congress met in 2007.
• The drug industry has spent $1.3 billion on federal lobbying over the last 10 years, more than any other industry.
• The computer/internet industry spent $110.6 million.
• Hospitals and nursing homes at least $90.5 million.
• In 1998 Total Lobbying Spending was $1.44 Billion.
• In 2007 it was $2.79 billion

So when Clinton and Obama look into the television cameras with a "steely eyed" determination and promise to "reign-in" all those nasty and horrible special interests in Washington ... I say of course you will ....WHEN PIGS FLY!