What is often called corruption in equatorial nations is referred to as "lobbying" in the United States. Leave it to us to whitewash something that is explicitly about purchasing the favor of government officials thus circumventing the electorate. "For every member of Congress in 2011, there were 23 registered Washington lobbyists. 535 senators and representatives; 12,719 lobbyists."

That's 23 to 1. Twenty three men and women buying dinners and writing checks for every ONE elected government official.

If you're interested in the growth in lobbyist spending, top spending corporations, top lobbying firms, top spending industries, and more, you can view that here.

I'd ask a rhetorical question now but that feels facile. You know what the problem is.