Wednesday, January 18, 2006

When Is Lobbyist Reform, Not Really Reform

When it is designed by Republicans.

According to lobbyists and ethics experts, even if Hastert's proposal is enacted, members of Congress and their staffs could still travel the world at an interest group's expense and eat on a lobbyist's account at the priciest restaurants in Washington.

The only requirement would be that whenever a lobbyist pays the bill, he or she also must hand the lawmaker a campaign contribution. Then the transaction would be perfectly OK.


The Republicans enjoy their culture of corruption, so they designed reforms that assure it will continue. This is just more evidence that they approve of the criminal activity. Despite the flood of corruption, in congress there are currently zero investigations into any of these acts.

As long as they are the majority party, overt corruption and pay to play will be the way business is done in D.C.


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