Your Congressperson can accept TWO days of free travel from a lobbyist...

[Eric J in MN]

..under the new rules.

Fly to Paris on Friday, fly back on Saturday, courtesy of the next Jack Abramoff.

http://www.rules.house.gov/110/text/110_Hres6.pdf

Regulations prescribed to implement this provision may permit a two-night stay when determined by the committee on a case-by-case basis to be practically required to participate in the one-day event.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. The committee has to ok this, I believe

which could make it dicey for someone who wasn't doing something on the up and up, I'd think--for members of the committee could let the press know if they don't agree with the majority decision, right?

[MADem]

2. We'll see how many of these bums "need" to give a speech in Scotland.....

....FORE!!!!!!!!!!

[The Straight Story]

3. They could stay there longer too.....

Get 5 lobbyists to go with you, 2 nights from each one, and you got a nice vacation on the house.

[Eric J in MN]

4. The trip to Paris paid for by an oil company foundation...

...is just as corrupting if a committee approves the trip in advance.

The committee will approve it as long as the Congressperson is giving a speech in Paris or meeting with a Parisian official or listening to a seminar there.

The Democrats should ban all travel paid for by outside groups.

[AlGore-08.com]

5. Until there is public financing of all campaigns, there's going to be corruption

As long as Congressfolk have to raise boatloads of money to run for office, they is always going to be graft and corruption. Those who tell ExxonMobil to jump in the lake will always find themselves running against somebody whose ethics are for sale. Always.

[TheMadMonk]

9. How about a very, very public "Thankyou very much."

Take the money, and at their acceptance speech, thank "Exon/Shell/Pfizer/... for their generous contribution, public spirit and dedication to the environment/poor/children. And then six months down the track: "Sorry guys, that vote you're asking for would be political suicide."

It might only be good for a single shot, but oh what a doozy it would be.

[Eric J in MN]

10. There is a donation limit of $2,100.

A lobbyist paying for a bunch of trips for a Congressman can provide gifts worth a lot more than $2,100.

The travel issue is worse than the public financing issue.

[Eric J in MN]

11. Though national party committee donations

...can be up to $26,700 each and the amount to state parties is unlimited in some states (like Minnesota.)

[EstimatedProphet]

6. What's the point in spending 1 weekend in Paris?

Big, BIG change from what was going on.

[Eric J in MN]

7. Enjoy the scenery and restaurants.

Sleep in a nice hotel.

[EstimatedProphet]

8. Yeah, I guess so

I guess it's just that in comparison to the crap that was going on, this really is a huge change.