If you’re like a lot of Americans these days, you’ve probably suspected that oil companies have too much influence on the federal government. (Just as you no doubt “suspect” that 2+2=4.) If you’ve wondered how the oil barons get to do pretty much whatever they want without fear of much regulation — and keep reeling in billion-dollar tax breaks, to boot — then check out this great story published last week by the Washington Post. Writers Dan Eggen and Kimberly Kindy provide a partial answer to your questions, reporting that three out of every four oil and gas company lobbyists are — ta-daa! — former federal government employees, including 18 rather shameless former members of Congress. Read it, and weep for the country.
This article appears in Jul 20-26, 2010.
