http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-03-29-lobbying_x.htm

Quote :

"The measure would ban gifts, including meals, for lawmakers and their staffs from registered lobbyists. Feingold said that leaves a "huge loophole" that would allow lawmakers to dine with a lobbyist and have the lobbyist's employer pick up the tab. His effort to tighten the rule failed, 68-30."

True reform or more smoke and mirrors by the two party system?

A quick scan of some right leaning blogs makes me think this is the case. Will be looking into this more when I get the chance.

8/2/2007 4:15:19 PM

did you read those right leaning blogs before or after your daily reading of Pelosi's blog?

Quote :

"Will be looking into this more when I get the chance."

couldnt tell if that was intentional or not since you're such an idiot

8/2/2007 4:18:08 PM

I didn't really read the blogs per say. Just did a quick google search, clicked on some links, and tried to decide from the bias if it was right or left.

This was where I clicked first
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2007/07/senate-ethics-bill-dem-camouflage.html
which led to this
http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/010675.php

both obviously right leaning from just a cursory look.

8/2/2007 4:21:44 PM

since you didnt lash out at me in that last post i have decided to leave this thread be...congratulations on good anger management this time...i'll leave it up to other TSBers to debate this topic and call you out for being another lame alias of 409c/TypeGay/BaldHate...good day sir

8/2/2007 4:23:30 PM

there was a good commentary on the Ethics and Lobbying bill on NPR's Marketplace yesterday. Conclusion? yeah - it's all smoke and mirrors
http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2007/08/03/PM200708038.html

Quote :

"Jeff Birnbaum: Lobbying laws are separate from campaign finance laws and the legislation just approved does not touch campaign funding laws at all. The ban on meals, therefore, doesn't apply to fundraising events. There, lobbyists and their clients will still be able to buy food and entertainment for any lawmaker they want. The result is the following perversity: Lobbyists will not be able to pick up the check for a member of Congress any more — unless they also hand the lawmakers a check for their re-election campaigns. In other words, the law designed to persuade the public that lawmakers are not in the pockets of special interests will probably increase the number of events that the public sees as synonymous with corruption: lobbyist-run fundraisers. Welcome to the world of unintended consequences. The meal and gift ban is not really a ban at all. It has nearly two dozen exceptions, in addition to the fundraiser loophole. For example, lobbyists generally will not be allowed to pay for lawmakers' tickets to sporting events. But lobbyists can host lawmakers if the lawmakers have some sort of official role in those events. If they throw out the first pitch at a baseball game, or toss the coin at the start of a football game, or wave the checkered flag at the end of a NASCAR race, the ticket for them can be free. Sweet. And that's not all. Lawmakers can attend all sorts of lobbyist-paid events as long as they're carefully constructed. For instance, if they are widely attended, like receptions. Also, charity golf tournaments are perfectly legit. Money is fungible, they say, and nowhere is that truer than in Washington. After the legislation is signed into law, it won't be business as usual any more. In some ways, it'll be business worse than usual. Bob Moon: Jeff Birnbaum is a columnist for The Washington Post."

8/4/2007 11:41:22 AM

I agree I believe this small potatoes reform is more smoke and mirrors just for the public to feel like Congress is doing something.

Kind of like when CAFE standards are raised....for 35 years from now. But a Democratic Congress is a goods step to perhaps more real substantial reform. I only say that b/c by ideology liberals like to expand governmental powers and thus mess with more stuff. I would have to believe Republicans wouldn't be so crazy about "fixing something that ain't broke", if you know what I mean.

8/5/2007 10:56:43 PM