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Monday, May 26, 2008

In Defense of Lobbyists

Posted by: Amanda Carpenter at 7:07 PM

Everybody wants to blame lobbyists for corruption and government waste, but lobbyists aren't the root of these problems. Our government is too big. If our government was smaller, lobbyists wouldn't be able to wreak so much havoc. And, it's important to keep in mind that some lobbyists pressure legislators to take actions conservatives would support. Like drilling oil in Alaska. My fellow Glamocracy blogger and former lobbyist Megan Carpentier takes to the pages of the Washington Post to offer her explanation why all lobbyists aren't souless, morally decrepit people. Unless they are now working for the Obama campaign, that is. (I kid!).

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mrbmrb writes:	Tuesday, May, 27, 2008 4:18 AM
lobbyist reform
i have a suggestion for the first step in lobbyist reform. its designed to open up the lobbying process just a ;ittle and im sure there are flaws in it. if so let me know the basic part of it is that every single attempt to influence a legislator or a member of his staff, must, after the conversation, )face to face or by electronic means) must be accompanied by written documentation prepared by the lobbyist and by the person lobbied. in it both must state what was discussed, and any other pertinent information that concerns the relative value of what the lobbyist was seeking. in addition both must list any exchange or promise of the exchange of anything of value at the time of the conversation or within one year after the conversation. anything of value contributed by members of the lobbyists immediate family must also be disclosed. this would include anythingmonetaryor no, to the candidate, his famile, his party. etc. this report must be filed within 2 days of the meeting and must be sworn to by every participant. in the conversation. penalties for disobeyingpart of this shall be very severe, up toand including jail sentences which can only be served in maximun federal prisons.
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ABC writes:	Monday, May, 26, 2008 10:10 PM
Thanks Pasadena Phil
I'm fixing the typo now. I'm not sure if all lobbyists should be forbidden from campaign work. I just want it all to be disclosed.
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Art of the Possible writes:	Monday, May, 26, 2008 9:21 PM
Lobbyists...
...didn't turn the US Congress into an auction house. Lobbyists just noticed that government was for sale and came to bid. I would too if I could afford it.
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Pasadena Phil writes:	Monday, May, 26, 2008 8:03 PM
Lobbyists are fine
But lobbyists should not be involved in fund raising or campaigning for the candidate. That is where the conflicts of interest create at best the appearance of corruption. And it's wreak havoc, not wreck. You're welcome. I am, after all, the king of typos.
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