> If you think a ~$100,000 a year to a politician (plus another couple million to some other politicians) is largely responsible for the rules that govern how 20% of our economy functions you are quite mistaken.

cough https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_Term_Extension_Act cough

That was purchased pretty cheaply, and industries affected by copyright(books, movies, music, software, software) are a decent chunk of the economy.