ForeverYoung436,
et al,
This is because most people don't understand that AIPAC
(The American Israel Public Affairs Committee) is a Congressional Lobby Effort
(a paid activity in which special interests are promoted in Congress with $30B of activity annually).
Why is everything always put on AIPAC? AIPAC didn't kill 1400 ppl, and AIPAC didn't foolishly draw a line in the sand.
(COMMENT)
AIPAC is not even one of the top 10 or even 20 lobbies.
LOBBYING Top Spenders
- US Chamber of Commerce..............................$1,002,845,680
- General Electric ................................................$294,040,000
- American Medical Assn......................................$290,647,500
- American Hospital Assn.....................................$245,049,385
- Pharmaceutical Rsrch & Mfrs of America............$242,328,920
- National Assn of Realtors..................................$237,499,713
- AARP...............................................................$227,412,064
- Blue Cross/Blue Shield......................................$215,484,202
- Northrop Grumman...........................................$198,835,253
- Exxon Mobil.....................................................$190,292,742
- Boeing Co........................................................$179,592,310
- Verizon Communications..................................$179,455,933
- Edison Electric Institute...................................$178,096,789
- Business Roundtable.......................................$176,780,000
- Lockheed Martin..............................................$174,002,984
- AT&T Inc........................................................$160,449,336
- Southern Co....................................................$152,660,694
- National Cable & Telecommunications Assn......$151,210,000
- Altria Group....................................................$143,035,200
- National Assn of Broadcasters.........................$140,280,000
Top 20 PAC Contributors to Candidates, 2013-2014
CLIENT...............................................................Total:.........% to DEMs & % to Repub- Northrop Grumman........................................$1,199,250.........37%..............63%
- Operating Engineers Union............................$1,081,515..........78%..............22%
- Honeywell International.................................$1,063,120.........43%..............57%
- American Federation of Teachers......................$932,500.......100%................0%
- Every Republican is Crucial PAC........................$875,000...........0%.............100%
- AT&T Inc.........................................................$851,000.........35%...............65%
- Credit Union National Assn...............................$774,250.........48%...............52%
- National Beer Wholesalers Assn........................$759,500........45%...............55%
- Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers................$745,700.......99%.................1%
- American Crystal Sugar....................................$662,500........55%................45%
- Home Depot....................................................$603,500........22% ................78%
- Carpenters & Joiners Union..............................$603,000........63%.................37%
- Lockheed Martin..............................................$599,500........33%.................67%
- American Bankers Assn....................................$574,000........23%.................77%
- Raytheon Co...................................................$572,700.........39%.................61%
- Deloitte LLP....................................................$571,500.........35%.................64%
- American Fedn of St/Cnty/Munic Employees......$563,000........100%.................0%
- Boeing Co.......................................................$547,000...........31%...............69%
- General Electric...............................................$546,500..........41%...............59%
- Koch Industries...............................................$541,500............1%...............99%
A
database search shows that as a lobby it had a very modest monetary impact. Yet, it is one of the most talked about influences.
I think that most people simply do not know how influence peddling works in Washington.
While the top lobbies give hundreds of millions of dollars, AIPAC only give $3M tops. There is a big difference between buying a Member of Congress, and being effective in the influence of Congress.
Fact is stranger than fiction. See OpenSecrets.Org.
Most Respectfully,
R
