If you work for Congress, you have an excellent job waiting for you at various healthcare lobbyist groups.
The healthcare lobby has hired hundreds of former Hill staffers. And look who's at the top of the list:
Nearly half of the insiders previously worked for the key committees and lawmakers, including Sens. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), debating whether to adopt a public insurance option opposed by major industry groups. At least 10 others have been members of Congress, such as former House majority leaders Richard K. Armey (R-Tex.) and Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.), both of whom represent a New Jersey pharmaceutical firm.
Baucus and Grassley, of course, control the Finance Committee -- tasked with formulating a version of the healthcare reform bill. While more than 100 of their former staffers work for the healthcare lobby.
And we're supposed to not be alarmed about this, Mr. President? That's rich.
Furthermore:
The hirings are part of a record-breaking influence campaign by the health-care industry, which is spending more than $1.4 million a day on lobbying in the current fight, according to disclosure records.
$1.4 million a day. And you know what they're spending it on? Making sure there isn't a public option, because without it we'll be required by law to buy private health insurance. And that means a massive pay day for the healthcare mafia.