"For their part, beneficiaries in the House hold positions on key committees like Transportation and Infrastructure (Bost) and the Appropriations subcommittee on Transportation (Cline)."

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I should be amazed, but I'm not, about how cheaply many politicians can be bought. These two "Representatives" have apparently sold out for a *combined total* of $3000 - Bost got $2000 while Cline received $1000; It looks like being a member of a committee is more lucrative than that of one sitting on a subcommittee, which seems rather obvious. The fact that no individual or PAC received more than $5000 is just further proof of how cheap one can buy preferred legislation

The four national party campaign committees receiving $15,000 each is indicative, at least to me, that whoring for Norfolk Southern, or any other corporate contributor, is a team sport with a low payroll. If there was any chance that I could buy clout in both major parties for a mere $60k in order to achieve a personal vision of legislation I really want passed (the national committees will pressure their respective members to vote aye to keep the gravy train on track - pardon the pun), then I would not hesitate to "invest" in the future to push the bills forward, whether or not I had immediate access to the cash.

Pimping and grifting are critical skillsets for politicians to raise the monies needed to run a successful campaign, unfortunately. The sad part is their ability to put morals aside - if they had any to begin with - for fundraising purposes, and it is even sadder that a majority of these politicos never regain the moral compass required to be a good legislator. All they seem to understand and believe in is the accrual of ever-greater power for their own benefits. (This applies, unequally, to both parties.)

fnord