"A lobbyist is a person that's supposed to help a politician make up his mind . . . not only help him, but pay him."
Will Rogers

There have been lobbyists as long as there has been an American government. We are encouraged to periodically exercise our right and responsibility to vote, but the business of government is largely run by special interests, who lobby among the legislators for the votes necessary to initiate, change and shape the laws by which we live. It's not all bad. Congressmen can hardly be expected to hold specific knowledge of myriad issues. Usually, there are two sides lobbying and that should serve to bring balance to ultimate support.

The problem with lobbyists is not their point of view, but the financial contribution that senators and representatives have skillfully allowed them to use in the furtherance of their goals. That badly tilts the playing field in favor of the rich and powerful. Campaign funds offered or withheld are powerful persuaders. The Congress has smugly limited meals, gifts and speaking fees, thereby shutting down a widely criticized trickle of influence, while allowing the floodgates of PAC money to pour into their re-election coffers. The cynical reference to "the best government money can buy" has become emblematic. Representative government is not much more than a farce, given the power and funds of PACs and registered lobbyists. "Give me a long enough lever and I can move the world" is a theoretical truism and money is the lever. The Congress, in blatant self-interest, has encouraged that lever to become too long. They know it, they suffer the guilt of knowing it, yet consistently show themselves unwilling and unable to unhook themselves from the life support system of lobby money.

A bill must be introduced to disallow any financial gain to an elected official or his campaign fund from these sources. That bill should provide for removal from office and prison sentences for offenders. That bill must be voted upon by registered yea or nay, every lawmaker accountable and a huge amount of national press attendant to the proceedings. If the bill does not pass, it must be re-introduced and the voters reminded come election day of those who were found in opposition. I don't much care who buys my senator or representative lunch, but I very much care who buys his vote.

The hand-wringers who commiserate with one another about the fact that nothing can be done and that's the way it's always been are wrong---dead wrong. For years it was said that no president would ever get the line-item veto and yet he has it. Public outrage can bring about a change in the rules applicable to lobbyists, but it will take just such outrage to achieve it.

No government can serve well without the judgments of interested parties. Lobbyists and Political Action Committees serve that vital function. The mistaken avalanche of public opinion toward term limits is a badly thought out move in the direction of disconnecting representative government from the graft and greed that fuels its longevity. Graft and greed are as damaging to a two-term official as they are to one who serves eight terms.

The solution is obvious. No one should profit from a position of public trust. We need to hold every elected representative's feet to the fire and publish their position in bold faced type.

Get out of the Archives and read what Jim's writing today