Lobbyists Take A Soak

By Jim Hightower

Here’s a startling number: 13,000.

That’s the number of corporate lobbyists in Washington, DC. Adding to their clout are the thousands of corporate executives who jet into our nation’s capitol city periodically for closed-door sessions with key lawmakers and regulators. If you wonder why such crying public needs as health care for all and environmental protection are constantly bent to serve private corporate interests – look to this army of hired guns and executive-suite dandies. But let’s concede that influence peddling can be hard work. Such tasks as glad-handing and passing out campaign contributions that’ll tucker you out.

That’s why the Ritz-Carlton is so crucial to the system. This swank hotel is a Washington oasis for frazzled lobbyists and executives. For one thing, no tacky tourists are there to bother the swells, for room rates at the Ritz start at $599 a night and run up to $5,800. Then there’re thelittle touches.

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