The rules may change, but lobbying won't

[Judi Lynn]

March 19, 2006, 12:43AM
The rules may change, but lobbying won't
Lobbyists insist interest groups always will find ways to be heard


By JEFFREY H. BIRNBAUM
Washington Post

WASHINGTON - Some of Washington's top lobbyists say they expect to find ways around congressional efforts to impose new restrictions on lobbyists' dealings with lawmakers in the wake of the Jack Abramoff corruption scandal, and they say any limits will barely put a dent in the billions of dollars spent to influence legislation.

While Congress ultimately may vote to eliminate a few of the more visible trappings of special pleading, such as gifts, free meals and luxurious trips, lobbyists say they already have found scores of new ways to buy the attention of lawmakers through fundraising, charitable activities and industry-sponsored seminars. An estimated $10 billion is spent annually to influence legislation and regulations, and that spending is not likely to be diminished by the proposed reforms, these lobbyists contend.

"I wouldn't classify those changes as major," said Dan Danner, senior vice president of the National Federation of Independent Business. "Between charitable events and fundraising events, there will still be lots of ways to get in front of members (of Congress)."
(snip)

"If meals are heavily restricted, we're likely to see executives from the home office picking up checks, because they're not lobbyists," added J. Steven Hart of Williams & Jensen, a major lobbying firm. "And there are lots of other ways we can still get our cases before members of Congress."
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/politics/3733216.html

[Eric J in MN]

1. "executives from the home office picking up checks"

It should be illegal for anyone to buy a meal for a Conngressperson or his or her staff.

[Why Syzygy]

2. Do we care if they fundraise?

Remember the $2,000 hot dog specials Bush was selling. If someone want to pay $2,000 for a hot dog, I don't think anyone is going to stop them.

[Eric J in MN]

3. Arguably the maximum donation to a campaign should

be smaller than $2,000, but there is also the issue of people buying meals for a politician and paying for the travel of a politician.

[acmejack]

4. What they are saying is "Fuck you!"

We have the money and we will get our way and that is the end of it. Get used to it, shut up, and go away. It's business as usual.

[Virginia Dare]

5. The only thing that will change the corruption in our government is...

massive social upheaval.

[salin]

6. "charitable events"

this practice of setting up a "Charity" that simply flows money back to the politician and/or his/her campaign is really slimey. How about shutting them down as possible conflicts of interest (and slush funding) - and let elected officials support their put causes by touting and existing, indenpendent (from the politician) charity.