Lobbyists are cool! (Now please punch me in the throat.)

I listened to the most recent Planet Money this morning on the way to work (one of my favorite morning rituals), and found myself getting angry to the program's content. It wasn't anything that the hosts said, but what the topic was about: lobbyists. People love to talk about how lobbyists are destroying the way Washington is run - money for favors, etc. But the former lobbyist that was interviewed is saying that it is in fact the other way around - lobbyists are calling politicians looking for money to support their election/re-election. Hearing this just confirms, to quote my cousin, Washington is just Hollywood for ugly people - one big popularity contest, and politicans will do what ever necessary to remain famous/elected.  USA! USA! USA!

Anyway, take a listen and judge for yourself.