Where is the list of prohibited activities for bailed out companies?
This issue angers lots of people. But it’s not clear to me why lobbying is any more or less ridiculous an expense than other things that aren’t directory tied to productivity. One reason it might be upsetting is that it means Congress is paying companies to influence Congress. I happen to think that money influencing Congress is bad all by itself, so maybe that’s why I’m not especially upset that lobbying continues during bailouts and with bailout money. In fact, maybe the lobbying done with bailout money will help companies get more bailout money, and thereby stay afloat. In fact, this is one general interpretation of what has happened over the long term.