The average person would assume that members of Congress are paid directly (salaried) with American tax dollars to take action for the benefit of the American people.    However, the overwhelming evidence clearly demonstrate that such is not quite the way things really work.   In 2009-2010 season, the "reality shows" on CSPAN and other cable TV channels were more show than real action.  (It was not unlike the old Saturday Night Wrestling of the mid-Twentieth Century.)   First off, much - if not more - money was spent for inaction as for action.  The Party of No clearly dominated much of the 111th Congress and sapped its ability to perform efficiently.    Just look at the predominant money flows.  A prime example is Congressman John Boehner (Minority Leader of the House of Representatives).  Congressman Boehner is a well-established and well-entrenched politician, having served as a representative from Western Ohio since 1991.   During 2008 and 2009 alone, Congressman Boehner received well over three Million dollars in political campaign contributions, of which almost all of the money came directly or indirectly from larger corporate special interest groups.  $224,720 came from the Insurance Industry alone.Note 1a.    In reality, from 2005 through 2009, 74% of Congressman Boehner's funding came from completely outside the State of Ohio.  Only nine percent (9%) of Boehner's funding came from within his district.Note 1b.   The constituents of the 8th Ohio Congressional District did not stand a chance at being "represented" by John Boehner.  Congressman Boehner's was being paid big bucks to represent his campaign contributors, such as the insurance industry and other special interest groups.   No wonder Congressman Boehner fought so hard to prevent the poor folks of the 8th Congressional District from getting decent health care, particularly those who lost their jobs and homes as a result of the massive national deficit and financal industry deregulation championed by Congressman Boehner during his previous years in Congress. So who does pay the bills?  Indeed, in the end, the American consumer and taxpayer pays.  All of the corporate campaign spending and political advertising is "laughingly" deducted as a business expense (along with executive bonuses).  The result of which simply: Raises the price of products and service Reduces any taxes the corporation pays Reduces the profits available to the stockholdersNote 5 Note 1 - Maplight.org Note 2 - This does not include indirect support received via the National Republican Party nor the unending television advertising (and talk show) support. Note 3 - This does not include any of the future money with Congressmen Boehner can expect to receive for the same and similar sources - as a reward for services rendered. Note 4 - John Boehner and other members of Congress enjoy a Government run health plan. Note 5 - This latter is offset, of course, by those higher consumer prices and politically leveraged market share.