Payday lenders throw millions at powerful politicians to get their way: "Payday lenders are spending millions of dollars in Washington in an attempt to stop the government from cracking down on the industry. And it appears to be working."

You want to bring up Cash America? Yes, let's look into them a bit. Let's take a look at the 2008 cycle:

By far the largest recipient of payday loan campaign cash was Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD), the chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Financial Investigations, who received $47,400 from the payday industry in the 2008 cycle. 37 He is followed by Rep. Dennis Moore (D-KS), who took in $34,419 in the last cycle. Rep. Moore’s district includes the town where QC Holdings is headquartered 38 and he serves on the House Subcommittee on Financial Institutions. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), the former chair of the House Subcommittee on Financial Institutions was the third highest recipient, accepting $30,750 in payday campaign cash. The ranking member on the Senate Banking Committee, Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL), was the fourth highest recipient, receiving $25,560. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) rounds out the top five, having received $25,150.

Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-FL) is the 6 th largest recipient, receiving $23,650 from the payday industry in 2008. Senate Banking Committee chair, Sen Chris Dodd (D-CT), and the ranking member on the House Financial Services Committee, Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL), finished 7 th and 8 th in CREW’s ranking, taking in $22,900 and $22,500 respectively. Rep. Jeb Hensarling is 9 th on the list, receiving $20,000 and Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is 10 th , having received $18,600.

Hmmm. Well, how about the 2010 cycle:

By far the largest recipient of payday loan campaign cash was former Rep. Kendrick Meek (D- FL), who received $53,900 from the payday industry in the 2010 election cycle. Rep. Meek, who ran unsuccessfully for a Flor ida Senate seat in 2010, is no longer in Congress. The next largest recipient of payday lending industry donations was Re p. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), the ranking member and former chair of the H ouse Subcommittee on Financial Institutions. 21 She received $48,400 in donations from th e industry during the same period.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) was third, receiving $43,900 in payday loan industry donations. Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), vice ch airman of the House Financial Services Committee, was the fourth highe st recipient, receiving $37,100. 22 Freshman Rep. Kevin Yoder (R-KS) was fifth, receiving $34,450, exclusively fr om the PAC and employees of QC Holding, which is located in his district.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) was the si xth largest recipient, taking in $27,500. Rep. Shuler was seventh, with $26,000 in donations. Re p. Pete Sessions (R-TX) was eighth, receiving $24,900 in donations, and former Rep. Travis Child ers (D-MS), who lost his 2010 re-election bid, was ninth, with $24,500 in donations. 24 Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), also a member of the House Financial Services Co mmittee was tenth, receiving $22,500.

Gee whiz, that's a lot of D's topping those lists! It's almost as if payday lenders, like pretty much any industry, puts their money behind who they believe will best represent their interests. And through the 2008 and 2010 cycles, they backed the Dems. And those liberals had no problem taking their money. Go take a look at those cycles for the two companies you linked to. Tell me what you see. Feel free to also check out any other payday lender. The fact is, nirad, that Democrats love them some payday lender money as well, and like the Republicans, will take it wherever they can get it.

/r/politics Thread Link - money.cnn.com