Lobbying reform?
Take a look at this AP Fact Sheet on the major provisions of the supposed House lobbying reform that passed today.
Lobbyists have to file quarterly rather than semi-annually(oooh, that's tough,) no change in travel restrictions except that members must fill out paperwork(uhoh, that's too tough,) and lobbyists have to take a separate plane(too tough, too tough.) It offers non-mandatory ethics training for members(ouch, that's tough,) and removes retirement benefits if a member is convicted of bribery(not the Dukester?)
And, of course, limits 527's, the only fundraising tool where the Dems outperform the Repubs.
And it still only passed by four votes. They could've just voted on a blank sheet of paper with "Clear Government Initiative" at the top.
Lobbyists have to file quarterly rather than semi-annually(oooh, that's tough,) no change in travel restrictions except that members must fill out paperwork(uhoh, that's too tough,) and lobbyists have to take a separate plane(too tough, too tough.) It offers non-mandatory ethics training for members(ouch, that's tough,) and removes retirement benefits if a member is convicted of bribery(not the Dukester?)
And, of course, limits 527's, the only fundraising tool where the Dems outperform the Repubs.
And it still only passed by four votes. They could've just voted on a blank sheet of paper with "Clear Government Initiative" at the top.
posted by mikevotes at
9:53 PM
4 Comments:
The very idea of lawmakers framing the restraints on their own perks is laughable.
With the best will in the world they are still likely to have difficulty understanding the concepts of entitlements and duty.
As it is there doesn't appear to be a great deal of will to be seen in the majority.
By
Cartledge, at 10:31 PM
The way our system is set up, only congress can create law. The only other way would be for some outside organization to be formed, but that would require a congressional vote as well, and I don't see them giving up that power.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 11:31 AM
My argument, and not just in relation to the US, is that legislators must not have the regulatory responsibilty over their own electoral or ethical parameters.
It has not been easy to ease these things away from lawmakers in other countries and where it has happened the politicians are forever working to claw them back.
I guess I'm just stating the bleeding obvious, but it still needs to be said.
By
Cartledge, at 12:38 PM
I agree.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 1:52 PM
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