Amidst news about Wall Street bonuses and fat-cat corruption, I’m sure it will go uncovered that Washington has finally eclipsed Silicon Valley as the wealthiest U.S. metropolitan area:
“Lobbyists play a prominent role in the Washington economy. In 2010 there were 12,964 registered lobbyists, with most working in or around the nation’s capital, according to figurescompiled by the Center for Responsive Politics, a Washington- based research group that tracks political spending. Spending on lobbying efforts reached a record $3.51 billion last year, up from $3.49 billion in 2009.”
So, there you have it, the heart of corporatism, rent-seeking and soul-sucking is prospering while the people who invest in businesses and innovation are called criminals. Why bother with a life of innovation and entrepreneurship when figuring out how to allot other people’s money has become such a profitable venture?
Oh, and though a ton of money floats around DC, I still couldn’t find a decent pizza place when I lived there for a summer. So, there, I’m doubly repulsed.
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Comments
the only place i can quasi-remember having a decent slice of pizza in dc is down adams morgan, and it was of the 5 dollars a slice variety while possibly inebriated.
but yeah, 5 years down here and the only good pizza is at a place called rustico in arlington.
The worst redistribution of wealth of all is the most common, from ordinary Americans into the greedy slimy hands of our government elites and their despicable cronies.
My own charcoal cooked pizza’s fabulous but we also now have at least four first rate pizzerias. The rest is true though it is more a function of the federal government expansion than evil doings on K Street. Everything you are affiliated with needs representation here–everything–your school, your city, your state, your profession,the chairites you support, your food suppliers, your physicians, the people who make and repair your transport facilities, the folks who produce, extract and refine the energy you use,etc etc etc
Thanks for pointing this out, Kathleen. I think the OWS protesters are misguided – corporate money (and union money, and other special interest money) wouldn’t be an issue if the federal government didn’t control how somuch money is spent – tax breaks, subsidies, etc. If money is corrupting politics, it’s because politicians are willing participants in the corruption. I can only be guilty of bribing a politician if the polititian accepts the bribe (and yes, I understand that I am still guilty of attempting to bribe.) Handing out political favors in return for campaign contributions is just another form of accepting bribes. Limit the influence government has on the economy, and you limit the influence of money on government.
I believe that a thorough forensic search would result in Soros along with the (defunct) ACORN being heavily involved.
That said, it should come as no surprise at the incoherent actions of many of the demonstrators as I would be very hesitant to call ’em activists.
I’m not sure where this will lead but it sure could backfire on the democrats IF the GOP is smart enough to take advantage of the chaos. Only time will tell…
Counties like Loudon were always in the top 3 . It is old Virginia .- pre K Street.
I spent some time around there & found it very pleasant even bucolic. A world away from inner DC.
Virginians are not to keen on Washington .