Notwithstanding the obvious contradictions and transparently self-serving nature of the arguments that Berman serves up, he has been successful in influencing Congress thanks largely to the ties he has built up with conservative politicians such as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

In 1995, those ties prompted a House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations that Gingrich allowed Berman inside access in exchange for money.

In 1993, Berman's Employment Policies Institute Foundation gave a tax-deductible gift of $25,000 to support a college course titled "Renewing Civilization" taught by Gingrich. The check came with a handwritten note: "Newt, thanks again for the help on today's committee hearing." And Berman did appear at a hearing that day. He testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime against two bills that would have increased the federal role in drunken driving enforcement.

Gingrich also showed his gratitude for the gift by weaving EPI material on the evils of the minimum wage into his college course, along with a ridiculously flattering video about EPI chairman Norman Brinker, a client of Berman's and the founder of the Steak & Ale and Chilis restaurant chains. The video described Brinker as "a living legend," talked about his "magical success in business," and credited him with inventing the salad bar.

During the class, Gingrich sang the glories of low-paying jobs, which he praised as "the entrepreneur's great learning opportunity, first rung on the ladder of success. . . . I see somebody walk in to their first job at minimum wage, or less, and I see them learning how to show up on Monday, I see them learning how to work with other human beings to be productive, I see them learning how to take care of the customer, I see them learning all of the skills to become a Norman Brinker."

What Gingrich did't see, obviously, was poor people who work every day serving Big Macs and fries while unable to afford decent food, rent and health care. Of course, maybe that's their own fault. If poor people wanted his attention, they should have just given him 25 grand like the other entrepreneurs.

No Choice on GM Foods

Notwithstanding all its talk about protecting "consumer choice," Berman & Co.'s Guest Choice Network is vehemently opposed to labeling of genetically modified foods, which would enable consumers to choose whether or not to eat them. Its GM foods enemies list includes

• "Extremist environmental groups" such as Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, which it accuses of conducting a "public relations jihad" on the issue.

• Christian Aid, a coalition of British and Irish churches that was formed at the end of World War II and has since developed into a worldwide hunger relief organization. Christian Aid's support comes from 40 religious denominations including the Church of England, Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Moravians, the Greek Orthodox Church and Seventh Day Adventists. Christian Aid also rejects the claim that GM foods will help end world hunger, prompting Guest Choice to label it a "far-left group" that "flat-out lies" and "hides behind a religious façade to more easily malign farmers, scientists, food companies, and even PR people who deal with [genetically modified] foods."

• CBS television, which it calls "the Tiffa-Nanny Network" because of a 60 Minutes report on the subject.