The Raleigh News and Observer profiles the latest report (pdf) by Democracy North Carolina on the nearly $15 million in fees paid to lobbyists in 2005 -- that's a lot of influence bought and sold at the Capitol building, and a good example of the perfectly legal but questionable activity that happens in a pay-to-play political system. Luckily Democracy North Carolina is on the case, pushing to curb the influence of money in politics by creating full public financing of campaigns.

The Center for Public Integrity has released a report concluding the cost of a campaign in 2006 is eleven times that of one in 1976 - a period during which the cost of living went up only three times.  What's driving this spike?  The huge chunk of money devoted to media and media consultants - and it's turned candidates into, in the words of Sandy Bergo, "telemarketers."