The Progressives' Handbook

For some quick enlightenment about which corporations sponsor which politicians, visit to The Center for Responsive Politics (www.opensecrets.org), a DC-based non-profit that "tracks money in politics, and its effect on elections and public policy." The Center's extensive database is broken down into user-friendly topics (such as "Who gives?" and "Who gets?"), and you can even track your local politicians' fundraising efforts at "Get local."

Also check out the Center for Public Integrity (www.publicintegrity.org). Its searchable databases help you discover the financial ties your lawmakers have to industries, lobbies, committees, and government agencies other than the state legislature. Additionally, you can access your legislators' personal financial information, and get detailed information on all registered, federal lobbyists in the US and their clients. For example, you might be surprised to learn that over 35% of lawmakers "sat on a legislative committee with authority over a professional or business interest," and nearly half are financially connected to businesses or organizations that lobby state government. Definitely worth a visit.