The Big Three Had Enough Cash to Give to the Political Classes

(From Drudge) It seems that the domestic auto companies might be running out of cash, but still spent millions this year to keep politicians happy, and full of funds:

CBS) As Congress mulls over a bailout for U.S. automakers, some may be thinking about more than jobs and the economy.

The auto industry spent nearly $50 million lobbying Congress in the first nine months of this year.

And people tied to the auto industry gave another $15 million in campaign contributions, CBS News investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson reports.

It’s not surprising that a lot of that money went to members of Congress from Michigan, where the auto industry is the biggest employer and politicians are passionate advocates for their constituents.

Take Sen. Carl Levin, who received $438,304 from the automotive industry. And in the House, Rep. Joe Knollenberg received $879,327. Rep. John Dingell got nearly a million from the industry. All have enjoyed generous support from the auto industry over their careers, with GM and Ford as their two top contributors. All support a bailout.

I don’t necessarily blame the auto companies here. Politicians basically run a protection racket, although I believe that we can tie much of the auto industry’s troubles to government. What the state “gives,” it also takes away.

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2:16 pm on December 4, 2008