you think Bernie Sanders has a shot? | Page 14 | The Compost Bin | Forums

Not that I don't like talking about Sara Palin...

There's a really good change.org petition for federal level campaign contribution transparency. It's a hot issue for a lot of people so if you're interested here's a link.

Gravel Road said
...would be nice if there were some good laws about corporate contributions and lobbying...it's way out of hand...seems like most, if not all, politician's are on the hook with some lobby or corporation...they sell their souls and sell out their constituents.  

See, the problem as I see it isn't just lobbying. That's one facet of it. Ask yourself, "If I'm a business, and I want to lobby for a politician, what do I get out of it?"

The answer is twofold: I could either get a nice fat subsidy for my industry, or I can get regulations (either favorable for me, or not favorable for a competing industry)

They way I look at it, eliminating lobbying would be like treating the symptom. Ok, so now we can't provide campaign contributions. How about we just make sure our politician of choice gets a nice fat cushy job when he gets out of office. Or stocks, or direct cash to a family member. or straight up bribery. If we eliminate the ability of congress to subsidize or regulate business (beyond antitrust, consumer and environmental protections), you take away any possible benefit for a business to gain from a congressional seat holder. Give the cancer patient chemo, rather than the pain pill so to speak.

KVR said
I'd like to see a ban on insider trading from congress as well

isn't there already something like that in place?

wow...