Final answer:
The correct answer is option e. $3.5 billion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question of how much was spent on lobbying in the United States in 2009 is e. $3.5 billion. We can determine this by looking at the provided figures for different sectors such as Lawyers and Lobbyists, Communications and Electronics, Health, and others. Adding these numbers together, we get a total which is approximately $3.5 billion.
It's important to understand the scale of these figures. Comparing campaign spending to other expenditures in the economy reveals that even billions in spending, like the $6.8 billion on political campaigns, remains a very small fraction of the overall economy. This perspective is crucial when discussing the impact of money on politics and lobbying efforts.