All lobbyists should be thrown out of DC!

[mandyky]

I said this months ago, and someone argued that we needed AARP. What did AARP do but turn around and support shrub's MedicCare fiasco!

I'd love to see every day a Democrat who doesn't take lobbyist money, in both the House and Senate get up and read a list of names and amounts our Reps and Senators are taking.

It's time the only lobbyists allowed in DC is citizen lobbyists who go there to help the American people, not line the pockets of multi-national corporations.

[Renew Deal]

1. I agree. Let the people lobby.

I know that the reps will need help with research and info that the lobbies provide, but how about using their employees for that? Also get info from citizens. There are a lot of bright people out in the world. The citizens of this country will be screwed as long as the lobbies (any of them) have access.

[Reverend_Smitty]

2. There was a 60 Minutes Andy Rooney segment about this a month ago

He said that we should have a bi-partisan advisory group of "smart people" aka academia to help advise legislators what is the best course for our country. It's not a bad idea to get the lobbyists out of their pockets and it also would help with the anti-intellectual feelings this country has

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/05/11/60minutes/rooney/main616858.shtml

[Baltimoreboy]

3. How?

nt

[mandyky]

5. The rule I'd like to see

is the only people that can lobby Reps and Senators are their natural constituents, meaning only people who actually live in their states and districts can lobby them in DC. That would not totally stop businesses lobbying but it's a start.

[Baltimoreboy]

10. Congress makes laws for the entire nation

We are all their constituents.

[KittyWampus]

4. Including Sierra Club, Veterans Groups, ACLU, NAACP

etc.?

Or only those we don't "like".

[mandyky]

6. The lobbying could be done thru

citizens that are natural constituents of the Reps.

[ThomWV]

7. Why?

Do you know what the difference would be if we tossed every lobbyist out of the District? Simple, our representatives would then find themselves traveling to, at taxpayer expense, whereever it was that we tossed the lobbyists.

The solution to the money influence problem isn't to toss out the lobbyiests, it to get laws on the books that forbid the Congress or the Executive from receiving anything of value from anyone. And there is no reason to tell me it can't be done. Look at the Court. Can you immagine a lobbyiest taking a memeber of the Court out to lunch on the company yacht, or loaning the condo in Vale for the weekend?

[mandyky]

8. I did not literally mean throw them out

I agree with what you said the solution needs to be. But when are we gonna do it?

[IronLionZion]

9. Ever heard of the tyranny of the majority?

I don't like lobbyists either but some are necessary to stand up for small groups and minorities.

[Zhade]

11. Amen, sister. Amen.

NT!

[mitchum]

12. All CORPORATE lobbyists should be thrown out of DC

nothing but lowlife bagmen

[GreenPartyVoter]

13. Time for separation of corporation and state. I don't have a problem with

lobbyists. They want to try and get a legislator's ear? Fine.

They want to BUY a legislator? Screw that crap! (Not keen on all the corporate lobbyists and board members in the cabinet either, esp since they tend to preside over areas which they are sworn NOT to protect.)

Wish we had publicly financed elections across the board, and some way of making sure that the Prez picks a decent cabinet.