Read a book written by Jack Abramoff entitled “Capitol Punishment”. Mr. Abramoff spent five years in prison and is writing this book, he says, to apologize for his misdeeds.
Mr. A. was a lobbyist who was employed by lobbying firms to influence Representatives and Senators to favor the lobbying firm’s clients in relation to pending legislation. His description of the tactics used to accomplish their goals is fantastic and almost unbelievable. Mr. A’s middle name must be Hubris (with a capital H). With one exception the first four-fifths of the book is a total brag about the ability of himself and his colleagues to influence the National legislators, mostly by manipulating the staffs that are employed by each Congressman and Senator.
In the first half of the book there is only one statement that could be figured as penitence. On page 90 he wrote: “What I did not consider then, and never considered until I was sitting in prison, was that contributions from parties with an interest in legislation are really nothing but bribes. Sure, it’s legal for the most part. Sure, everyone in Washington does it. Sure it is the way the system works. It’s one of Washington’s dirty little secrets – but it’s bribery just the same.”
Another thing to think about: creating a non-profit, tax-free organization is very easy. The lobbyists create them and then have people donate money to the non-profit organization. The non-profit organization then distributes the money to whomever or wherever it wanted to, secretly or openly; no taxes, no questions asked, thank you very much.
Towards the end of the book, Mr. A makes three statements that refer to the corruption of Congress:
v INSTEAD of limiting the size of every American’s political contribution, we need to entirely eliminate any contribution by those lobbying the government, participating in a federal contract, or otherwise benefiting from public funds. If you get money or perks from elected officials – be “you” a company, a union, an association, a law firm, or an individual – you shouldn’t be permitted to give them so much as one dollar.
v NOT ONLY should lobbyists be banned from contributing to officials’ organizations and campaign funds, they should be banned from gift giving as well. Instead of limiting the amount of money a lobbyist may spend in wining and dining congressional members and staff, eliminate it entirely. No finger food, no snacks, no hot dogs. Nothing. If you are going to lobby the federal government, take from the treasury, or work as a contractor, you shouldn’t be permitted to give one penny to any elected official or staff, including the executive branch. Remove all temptations. Eradicate even the scent of impropriety.
v NEXT, the lure of post-public service lobbying employment needs to be eliminated. The revolving door is one of the greatest sources of corruption in government. If you choose to serve in Congress or on a congressional staff, you should be barred for life from working for any company, organization, or association which lobbies the federal government.
He also says: “It won’t be easy to clean up the swamp we call our nation’s capital, but if America is serious about change and reform, the effort must start now. It is a mistake to view the financial and debt crises striking our nation as disconnected from the corruption epidemic plaguing Washington.”
