[tomder55]

What about money? Should congressmen be allowed to accept money from the lobbyists to promote their pet project?

Now you have gotten to the crux of any problem . No one in Congress or in government (like Sec States ) should be allowed to peddle their influence while in office . The corruption is in the government ;not in the lobbyists ,and that is what the laws should address. But once someone leaves government ,no one has a right to restrict them in their right to obtain a job . Now I would agree that full disclosure is in order . If Joe Biden as VP is browbeating Ukraine while his son is doing side businesses in the country ,and his brow beating enriches his son ;then yes it should be in the open .Or if John Podesta starts a lobby corp ;oh let's call it 'Podesta Associates,', after he was White House Chief of Staff he should be registered as one and we should know who he represents . This is typical of Congress . They are the problem so they create laws that don't make themselves accountable .

[jlisenbe]

This is typical of Congress . They are the problem so they create laws that don't make themselves accountable .

So very true, and we then proceed to let them get away with it

[tomder55]

I just have to add ;if let's say the teacher's gives members of Congress their members dues in the form of donations to advance their causes ;that is between the teachers and their union. As long as the donations are transparent there is no issue. I really don't care about the amount ,or restricting the amount that corporations or other interests give to campaigns . To me ,disclosure is my compromise on the issue . There are others who can make a persuasive case that even goes too far in restricting 1st amendment rights .

[Athos]

The corruption is in the government ;not in the lobbyists .

I'm not sure what you're saying here. The lobbyist who offers a pol a few hundred thou for his vote and/or influence is NOT corrupt?

[tomder55]

depends about what you are talking about ....campaign contributions ? Got no problem with that since contributions have to be transparent .Stuffing the congressman's pockets ? Already illegal . I can tell you this ...No ethical lobbyists does what you suggest .Even the days of the martini lunches are history.

[paraclete]

How naive you are, lobbyists find a way to grease the path and the palms thus advancing their agenda, if it were no so they would not do it

[talaniman]

Not all lobbyist are ethical I would be willing to bet, and the dark money, like super pacs and their bundlers can take huge chunks of cash from anybody, even foreign money. Both sides do it.

[talaniman]

PS

Michigan booted the repubs out and seized EX Gov Snyders state cell phone. 15 local and state officials indicted, a couple for manslaughter.

[jlisenbe]

Michigan booted the repubs out and seized EX Gov Snyders state cell phone. 15 local and state officials indicted, a couple for manslaughter.

But you can be sure that the indentured servants in Detroit and Flint will not kick their democrat kings and queens out. Just amazing.