Just to add to the back-and-forth about Andrew’s post on “austerity” and the economic mess, note that the TIME cover story this week is about the power of lobbyists in Washington, D.C., a major factor working against any serious budgetary reform. Remember how Ross Perot was going to lift the hood of the Congressional pick-up and get in there after the dat-burnt lobbyists? Here’s the link for the TIME report. Consider subscribing to the magazine if you appreciate the wriitng.