Bank Lobbying On Track To Hit Record High This Year

Monday, November 21, 2011 Bank Lobbying On Track To Hit Record High This Year Big banks are on track to spend a record amount lobbying lawmakers this year. The five banks that spend the most on lobbying have boosted their lobbying outlays by 12 percent in the first three quarters of 2011, compared to the same period last year, according to an analysis by the Charlotte Observer. Commercial banks comprising the banking industry have spent close to $47 million on lobbying so far this year, compared to $42 million at this time last year, the report finds. DOWN THE MIDDLE: As U.S. Workforce Divides, Middle-Class Jobs Disappear Firm That Hosted Foreclosure-Themed Costume Party To Close Former AIG CEO: Bailout Was Unconstitutional Postal Service On The Chopping Block The Economic Battlefield Of The NBA Lockout BLOG POSTS Jeffrey Sachs: The Super Committee's Big Lie As the Super Committee threatens this week to gut the government on the basis of a big lie, it's more important than ever that we fight back with systematic data. With truth on our side, the new progressive movement will prevail. Dean Baker: The Super Committee Should Go Really Big and Turn Against the One Percent There is plenty of potential for the super committee to do some serious good if it is willing to go really big. But that would mean confronting the 1 percent, and it just isn't very likely that this committee would be that super. Ian Fletcher: Obama's Trans-Pacific Partnership Disaster After the failed promises of NAFTA, a job-destroying trade deficit that has burgeoned despite a long series of free-trade agreements, and ever-more-aggressive foreign mercantilism, we're plowing ahead with even more of these agreements. Diane Francis: Europe Boots Out its Political Morons The party that calls itself Europe is over. The sovereign debt crisis afflicting its weakest members has ended the eurozone's political Ponzi scheme -- the proclivity to hand out entitlements today and run up a tab due tomorrow. Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson: The Occupy Movement: Queer Money Matters These facts contradict the public perception of queer folk as having money and privilege. The facts remind us, as thousands occupy Wall Street, that we need to remember to occupy hearts and minds to challenge homophobia and transphobia.

MOST POPULAR ON HUFFINGTONPOST.COM WATCH: UC Davis Police Pepper-Spray Students European Debt Crisis Threatens U.S. Money Market Funds Buffett: 'Major Flaw' In Euro System Can't Be Solved By Words Alone ON TWITTER Law Firm That Hosted Foreclosure-Themed Costume Party To Close Former AIG CEO: Bailout Was Unconstitutional ON FACEBOOK WATCH: UC Davis Police Pepper-Spray Students Law Firm That Hosted Foreclosure-Themed Costume Party To Close 84-Year-Old Occupy Seattle Protester, Pepper Sprayed In The Face, Becomes Symbol