Lobbyists have worked hand-in-hand with our politicians in Washington
One congressman in the race for Majority Leader of the U.S. House is Rep. John A. Boehner of Ohio. He maintains the lobbyist-financed Freedom Project, with a lobbyist as treasurer and an all-lobbyist executive board. It has raised $5.94 million over 10 years and has contributed $3.26 million to fellow Republicans. Some 2003-2004 expenditures include $21,990 at Sam and Harry's steakhouse, $16,189 in fees at Manassas's Robert Trent Jones Golf Club and $5,990 for lodging at La Quinta Resort & Club near Palm Springs. This, by no means, clears the histories of the other congressmen running for the same leadership position.
The incumbent's Leadership PAC is just one way lobbyists influence our public officials' votes in congress. Some other ways include treasurer and executives of many incumbents' campaign committees, owning townhouses near the Capitol for many incumbents' candidate and PAC fundraisers,
political consultants for many incumbents' re-election campaigns, whips for many bills up for votes during legislation, and executives of major parties' convention committees.
And, perhaps more malevolent, is the prevailing attitude of outward pride, from congresspeople raising these large amounts of money this way. The rule of law places second to the rule of men, when it comes to the perpetuation of power by many of Washington's incumbents. We at Vote Out Incumbents for Democracy, ask voters to support challengers running for congress who have their districts' and the nation's voters at heart, not lobbyists. Join VOID, and help restore trust in our nation's capital, by voting into public office responsible and accountable congresspeople.
Source: Washington Post
Comments
It is nice to see that we are at least getting well fed, well rested politicians for the golf outings.
This has got to stop.
Posted by: steve smith | January 14, 2006 8:45 AM
$21,990 at a steakhouse!!!
That's about what my family of five gets to live on for an entire year!
No wonder my "representatives" care more about what the lobbyists think than what I think. This has got to stop!
Posted by: Stephanie | January 17, 2006 4:17 AM
Is it my imagination, or is govenment growing more corrupt than recent decades?
Is government more corrupt now than 6, 10, 20, 30, 50 years ago?
We seem to have made some small steps forward in terms of civil rights, but we seem to be digging a deep hole (fiscally and morally) since 1950.
Still, despite the $8.2 trillion National Debt, and other fiscal problems (e.g. Social Security, Medicare, pensions, etc.), some people say everything is OK, our debt isn't too large, the economy is doing great, and anyone else that questions that is a dooms-day, chicken-little, pessimist.
Government is FOR SALE.
It's got to stop before it gets worse.
Posted by: d.a.n | January 17, 2006 11:49 AM