It is the time of year when we take a look back at the last 12 months and try to learn some lessons. There is a lot to choose from: For instance, this year we got confirmation that President Barack Obama’s policies and the president himself are unpopular with not just Republicans, but with Democrats, too. We learned that some influential liberals are fully aware and wiling to manipulate and deceive the American people to pass legislation that isn’t popular. And the more we learn about the Affordable Care Act and its cost, the less we like it.

But today I would like to focus on what hasn’t changed: The commitment of Republicans and Democrats to special business interests at the expense of all of us. Here are five examples:

The latest defense reauthorization act: In fiscal year 2015, the Department of Defense will get some $490 billion for its base budget, plus at least $64 billion for its operations overseas and $8 billion for its nuclear programs. However, if you want a real account of how much the government spends on all defense-related activities you would have to add many more billions of dollars to this total.

Unfortunately, the bill is actually packed with many gifts for the defense contractors and nuclear lobbies. The Project on Government Oversight has a list that includes the billions of dollars that went to weapon programs that the Pentagon didn’t request, such as $479 million to be spent on four additional F-35 fighter jets. The Joint Strike Fighter is the nation’s most expensive weapons program, and its production has been plagued by massive cost overruns and unacceptable delays.

Obamacare’s special interest goodies: As if the president’s health care bill wasn’t problematic enough, Congress just made it even more of a riddle to special interest carve-outs than it was before. According to National Review's Yuval Levin, who had the courage the read the more than 1,600 page legislation, the so-called "cromnibus" bill provides special relief from an Obamacare requirement to one and only one insurance company: Blue Cross/Blue Shield. While being exempt from some of Obamacare’s requirements may be a real improvement over the status quo, it is problematic and unfair because it only applies to one company. All the other companies will have to watch in envy while they shoulder the whole cost of the law.

Flood insurance reform: Congress agreed to roll back reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program put in place two years ago. Writing about the reform in 2012, the Cato Institute’s Mark Calabria noted, “In addition to subsidizing the destruction of the environment, it also encourages families to live in harm’s way. The solution should be to end it and let the private market appropriately price the risk. If Congress chooses not to end the NFIP, it should at least reduce the subsidies behind the program. Surprisingly enough, S. 1940, currently on the Senate floor, does just that.”



The reforms were modest. However, they were quickly opposed by “National Association of Realtors, the Independent Community Bankers of America, the National Association of Counties and the National Association of Home Builders” and other special interests impacted by the increase in premiums. Ultimately, they won and Congress agreed to cap premium increases. (For more, read this study by Chris Edwards).

The resurrection of billions in crony tax extenders: Congress brought back to life 55 specific tax extenders for a total of $450 billion over 10 years. The credits to special interest companies expired last December and would have stayed dead if it weren’t for the constant lobbying from their beneficiaries.

While lower taxes are better for companies to operate, the privilege should have been extended to all rather than a few well-connected companies. Congress should instead propose tax reform that would make the code fairer, simpler and more predictable — and use the $450 billion to get a significant reduction of the corporate income tax.