I'm Just A Bill - The "Hidden" Story

Those of us in our 30s remember watching Saturday morning cartoons on ABC and watching those catchy and educational 3 minute educational vignettes from School House Rock. One such vignette was I'm Just A Bill which tells the story of how a Bill becomes law.

Here's how the song documents the "idea" for a Bill:

Well, I got this far. When I started I wasn't even a bill, I was just an idea. Some folks back home decided they wanted a law passed, so they called their local Congressman, and said, "You're right, there oughta be a law. "Then he sat down and wrote me out and introduced me to Congress. And I became a bill, and I'll remain a bill until they decide to make me a law.

What the song left out was the role of lobbyist. But, the Wall Street Journal fills us in today with a story (paid subscription required) on Starbucks' fledgling lobbying efforts, that recently won millions of dollars worth of tax breaks for the company.