"From my perspective, the corruption comes in where large corporate entities hire lobbyists and organizations that will continuously request that prior art exists in a million different methods that results in continuous relooks of the patent."
That is exactly correct. Now take that a step further. When the Supreme court decides an obvious issue using a test case involving a gas peddle and a sensor, combining the two is not an invention. What a mess they created with inventions much more technical and complex. It seems that they intentionally allowed infringers to drag cases out for years. So instead of helping to solve a problem they have helped create a monster. A self perpetuating bottle neck with an almost unlimited amount of superficial data to extract. And to what purpose? To appease those that want it that way.
Lets face it, now technically using the new guide lines for obviousness the invention of the automobile could never be granted a patent. The wheel was invented by cavemen, and engines already existed. The gentlemen who in 1899 stated that "eveything that can be invented has been invented" and who we all thought was a idiot has been elevated to inightful prominence by our unimaginative supreme court. Don't try to invent a better mouse trap it already exist in the insignificant scripplings of millions of procrastinators thru endles milleniums.
AJMO