Mickey Goes to Washington

Washington Post article on Walt Disney and other lobbyists pushing for taxpayer subsidies for tourism. If you don't want to know how the sausage is made, don't read this article.

The number of people who make their livings trying to influence the federal government runs into the hundreds of thousands, an enormous figure given the fact that most lobbying is aimed at 535 members of Congress. The exact size of this lobbying army is hard to define, however, because the 30,000 or so people who register to lobby each year do so voluntarily (there is essentially no enforcement of lobbying registration laws), and only those who meet with lawmakers and their staffs directly are required to register at all. ...

The ballooning federal budget has its tentacles in every aspect of American life and commerce. No serious industry or interest can function without monitoring, and at least trying to manipulate, Washington's decision makers. The penalty for ignoring the federal government can run into the billions of dollars.

Equally frightening is the photo of the tourist lobbyists, which is seems to be shot to make them look evil, reminiscent of Cinderella's stepmother, Maleficent, and the Evil Queen of Snow White.

Hat Tip to Cato-at-Liberty.