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Congress must not remain for sale

By Kirstin Ellison
Posted on Wed May 16, 2007 at 01:04:41 PM EST

In an editorial today, the New York Times hits hard on the subject of the lobby reform bill pending in the House (emphasis mine):

It's crunch time for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to deliver on the Democrats' vow to rein in power lobbyists who sully Congress by purchasing privileged access with outsized campaign donations. There are worthy remedies, but members are balking. If the House resorts to mere cosmetic changes, the Democrats will risk the same voters' ire that cost the Republicans control last year.

The reforms we need are plain and simple:  stop secret "bundling" of donations, shine some sunlight on astroturf operations, and slow the revolving door to the lobbying firms on K Street.  And if Democratic lawmakers fail to enact meaningful reforms?  Well...

Make no mistake. If the leadership fails to bring the lobbying industry to heel, voters will know that Congress remains as much for sale under the Democrats as it was under the Republicans.


Tags: Ethics in Government, lobbying, lobby reform (all tags)


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Congress must not remain for sale :: 3 Comments

Congress Will Remain For Sale Under Current System

It's common sense - give the coyotes charge of their own hen house, and they will do with the chickens as they please. Congress, red, white, or blue party in charge, will never create meaningful self-restrictions. This type of politics demands window dressing and the appearance of progress, not real progress, in order to distract voters as usual. The solution to meaningful change that forces Congress to pay attention to voters is the PUA's National Referendum system, which would allow American voters, by majority consent,  to write and enact bills (on occasion) that can help retake control of Congress. Most all Congressional members start out as well meaning protectors of the people, but Capitol Hill has an entrenched system of seniors and power broker leaders that groom the rest toward status quo smoke and mirrors---that will never change unless: 1) all incumbents are removed on each of their election anniversaries, or, 2) Americans create and apply a national referendum. The PUA is leading the fight on the latter.

Xelan Bonn, PUA President

by xelan bonn on Wed May 16, 2007 at 04:51:15 PM EST


Congress Will Still Continue To Be On Sale

As long as no one takes charge in Congress to improve lobby reforms, then Congress will continue to be on sale to the Democrats as it was to the Republicans previously. The Democrats lawmakers need to make regulations and meaningful reforms as soon as possible or else by the next election, they will lose their votes to the Republicans who may somehow help better this matter. But as of now, whether the Democrats or the Republicans are in charge of the Congress, self-restrictions are no where to be found.

by msevikul on Sun Jun 24, 2007 at 10:12:04 PM EST


America will Answer

Agreed.  Congress will most likely continue to sale to the Democrats.  And they will likely to sale to any political party that is in charge of Congress.    But the reforms are most definitely to stop bundling of donations- how many companies have been corrupted with frauds?  I truly believe, however, that America will respond to Congress's action- either favoring or rejecting.  Whatever Congress decides, the American society will react to the decisions.        

by ksh08 on Sun Jun 24, 2007 at 10:48:22 PM EST


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