“But, as your viewers will learn, that just scratches the surface. Last year, Progress Energy spent $1.5 million between the two political parties, committees and various candidates. Florida Power & Light spent a little bit more.”
By John Romano/Tampa Bay Times
MEMO
To: Producers of the A&H show Flip This House
From: Tallent Scout
First of all, love your show!
This idea of watching someone purchase a house and then “flipping” it for a profit is pure genius. It’s ruthless, risky, and it feels so darned American.
In that same spirit, I’m bringing this unique idea to you today.
A house was recently purchased in Florida, and the buyers stand to make hundreds of millions in profits on this very old and exclusive property.
The hook is that it is no ordinary house.
It is the House.
Yes, a few utility companies have pooled their money and bought Florida’s House of Representatives. Because the purchase was made in increments, the final price is still being figured out, but I can tell you it wasn’t cheap.
Just in the first three months of this year Duke/Progress Energy spent $300,000 in campaign money on the state Republican Party. The company also contributed $100,000 for the Republican governor, offered about $25,000 in private airplane rides, and spent $5,000 on a gratuitous Democratic Party upgrade.
But, as your viewers will learn, that just scratches the surface. Last year, Progress Energy spent $1.5 million between the two political parties, committees and various candidates. Florida Power & Light spent a little bit more.
Read more here:
Indian River Guardian 
How sad that we have allowed businesses to take over our government. No more “for the people and by the people” where people are actual human beings. Same, even worse, in Congress. This must change. We can do it!