I don't think that we should abolish lobbyists (if it is even possible)

[question everything]

First, as it is said: it takes two to Tango. Yes, some lobbyists may bribe, oops, "give gifts" to members of Congress but they are the one who should be abolished if they accept them.

Second, we think about lobbyists of the pharmaceutical and oil and the defense industry. But, no doubt, the Sierra Club has lobbyists, too.

Perhaps I am naive, but I don't expect members of Congress, even their staff, to be knowledgeable about everything. So if they can get a crash course on a subject, and be honest to recognize the source, and go in search of opposing views, then I think that there is room for lobbyists in the legislative process.

What they should reform is the "ear marking" process. A few weeks ago McCain clearly explained this. In the middle of the night, some one - Alaska's Young? - "ear marks" a multi million project for his/her district and no one has a chance to question this. It is part of the whole package voted earlier.

What am I missing?

[pstans]

1. Don't abolish lobbyist

abolish the money the lobbyist have. I would not be able to call up my Senator and go out to lunch with them, so why should a lobbyist who donates a ton of $ to the Senator be able to do it?

Get the money out of there.

[napi21]

2. I agree with you. Lobbyists do perform a valuable service.

The real problam isn't with the lobbyists, it's with the people we elect who can't listen to two sides of a position, and decide which side really helps America and which is promoting a greedy position for a single business group or industry.

I NEVER agree with Hastert, but I think he was right when he said ""We should eliminate ALL PAID travel for Congressmen & their staff personnel."

Of course, the NEW Majority Leader, Boehner, shot that one down! Being the ace golfer he is, ya know.

I hope the Dems present THEIR plan for reform loudly, soon, a before the Pubs have a chance to do the same! If the Pubs present theirs first, anything similar in the Dem plan will just be portrayed as copy cat tactics.

[John Q. Citizen]

3. I lobby when I send my Rep a letter. So lobbying per se isn't bad.

It's the wholesale transfer of public property and wealth to corporate interests I can't stand. And corporate lobbying does figure into that process.

So how do we stop the abuses without killing the process?

[question everything]

4. Limiting the amount of money that transfers hands, I suppose

Paying for lunch can be OK, but junkets to the Bahamas, or even to Disneyland should not.

We know that each member of Congress provides a statement of his/her finances. They should be required to list all contacts with lobbyists, especially where "gifts" were involved.

And the ones that seem to be getting over the line should be indictment for bribery, pure and simple.